Molly Strano will captain this season’s Governor-General’s XI against India in a Twenty20 fixture at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday, January 28.
Strano, 27, boasts a domestic career spanning nearly ten years. She has captained her native Victoria and Melbourne Renegades as well as numerous Cricket Australia XI and Australia A sides.
Strano will be joined by Leading Aircraftswoman Tayla Seymour, an Air Force Fire Fighter based at RAAF Williamtown. Seymour is the current ADF Captain and plays First Grade cricket for Penrith, having also played underage representative cricket.
In its fifth year, the Governor-General’s XI match – inspired by the traditional Prime Minister’s XI game – pits some of the best young female players in Australia against a touring team. This year’s match will be played on the eve of the Commonwealth Bank T20 Tri-Series between Australia, England and India, which starts in Canberra on Friday, January 31.
In conjunction with the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Selection Panel (NSP) has named the following 12-player squad.
Governor-General’s XI
Stella Campbell (NSW)
Hannah Darlington (NSW)
Josie Dooley (QLD)
Heather Graham (WA)
Charli Knott (QLD)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW)
Tahlia McGrath (SA)
Bridget Patterson (SA)
Taneale Peschel (WA)
Tayla Seymour (ADF)
Molly Strano (VIC) – captain
Belinda Vakarewa (TAS)
Speaking on the selection of the team, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Selector Shawn Flegler said:
“Molly has a range of leadership experiences and we felt she was the perfect fit for this role. She’s led the way this season with her bowling and has proven herself as a leader both on and off the field throughout her career.
“Some of the youngsters like Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Phoebe Litchfield and Charli Knott are players of the future and opportunities like this are crucial in their development. They allow the players to test themselves against world-class opposition and give them a gauge on what it takes to make it to the next level which is invaluable so early in their careers.
“There’s some strong, in-form batters in the side including Bridget Patterson, Tahlia McGrath, Josie Dooley, Litchfield and Heather Graham who will take the game on which is exciting.
“Belinda Vakarewa, Molly and Taneale Peschel have all had terrific seasons with the ball and will lead some of the younger players, providing a variety of options which is crucial against a side like India.”
The Governor-General said he was looking forward to a hard fought contest and the opportunity for some of our up and coming cricketers to test themselves against world-class competition.
“I am excited to see the Governor-General’s XI side in action on the 28th – especially the chance to see how some of our finest young cricketers perform against one of the best sides in the world,” the Governor-General said.
“It will be a great event. If you are in Sydney, Linda and I encourage you to come down to Drummoyne Oval.”
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket, Kayo and ABC Radio. Entry to Drummoyne Oval is free, with the match beginning at 6:40pm local time.
