Cricket Victoria congratulates Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham and Phil Gillespie

The pair were among four debutantes named by Australia for the Test match commencing today against India on the Gold Coast.

Sutherland, 19, was presented with cap 179 by Victorian and Australian teammate Ellyse Perry.

Wareham, 22, was presented with cap 180 by former Australian player and now assistant coach, Shelley Nitschke.

“We’re extremely proud of Annabel and Georgia and congratulate them on their Test debuts for Australia,” Cricket Victoria CEO, Nick Cummins, said.

“Both are products of the Victorian cricket pathway, having risen through the representative ranks, to the Victorian squad and now our national team. They are fantastic role models for the next generation of boys and girls coming into cricket.”

“We wish them and the team all the best for the next four days and look forward to watching them in action.”

Victorian Premier Cricket umpire Phil Gillespie made his Women’s One Day International debut in November 2014 when Australia played the West Indies at Hurstville Oval. Gillespie has since gone on to stand in 12 Women’s ODIs with a further three officiating as Third Umpire.

On the domestic front, Gillespie has been on CA’s NUP since the 2015/16 season. Last season, Gillespie passed the 50 KFC BBL match milestone to add to his tally of 28 First-Class and 18 List-A matches to his name. Gillespie’s appointment to the Commonwealth Bank Women’ Test Match means that he will join the long list of Australian Test Match umpires.

Cricket Victoria also congratulates Bob Stratford, making his test debut in the position of Match Referee.

A former Victorian Premier Cricket umpire and Cricket Victoria employee Stratford becomes just the fifth Australian Match Referee to oversee a Women’s Test Match.

Stratford has an impressive resume having been appointed match referee to 76 First-Class matches including a remarkable five Sheffield Shield Finals. In the 50-over format, Stratford has overseen an equally impressive 70 List-A matches including six Domestic One Day Cup Finals. In the shortest format, Stratford has officiated 83 KFC BBL matches including six Finals.