Vlaeminck sidelined, as six Victorians named for NZ series

State teammates Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham were named in the 18-player squad, although Perry’s fitness will be monitored in the lead up to the series as she recovers from a hamstring injury.

Australia and New Zealand will play three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.

Vlaeminck missed the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year after sustaining a navicular stress fracture.

“Tayla has had a slight setback in her return from the foot injury she suffered ahead of the T20 World Cup which means she’ll miss this series as well as this season’s rebel WBBL tournament,” National Selector Shawn Flegler said.

“Our initial plans were to get her back for the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand but now that’s been postponed we’ll take a conservative approach with her and give her as much time as she needs to get her body right without the pressure of a timeframe.

“Tayla is your true tear-away quick which we love, but we need to make sure we look after her long-term future. She’s going to be a serious long-term player for Australia.”

The schedule for the Australia and New Zealand series has matches in both New South Wales and Queensland but Cricket Australia will continue to work with relevant authorities given the unfolding COVID situation.

Australian squad:

Meg Lanning (c) (VIC)
Rachael Haynes (vc) (NSW)
Maitlan Brown (ACT)
Erin Burns (NSW)
Nicola Carey (TAS)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW)
Alyssa Healy (NSW)
Jess Jonassen (QLD)
Delissa Kimmince (QLD)
Tahlia McGrath (SA)
Sophie Molineux (VIC)
Beth Mooney (QLD)
Ellyse Perry (VIC) *subject to fitness
Megan Schutt (SA)
Molly Strano (VIC)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC)
Georgia Wareham (VIC)
Belinda Vakarewa (TAS)