WA’s squad of 13 girls will compete in a combination of Twenty20 and 50-over matches, with the potential to earn a place at a Cricket Australia talent camp and make the All Australian XI.
Coach Orazio Santalucia said he was confident this year’s squad would be better prepared because of the WA Cricket Association Female Academy, set up to develop the Western Fury and Perth Scorchers players of the future.
“The program has not only provided the girls with top-class coaching opportunities, but also a dedicated strength and conditioning program, as well as holistic programs such as nutrition advice, sport psychology and player welfare to help grow the person, not only the cricketer,” Santalucia said.
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READ NOWMeuleman is set to continue a strong family legacy in representative cricket and will captain the side. Georgia Ireland has also received reward for good form by being appointed vice-captain.
Albany’s Georgie Middleton has been tipped as one to watch, while Courtney Holt from the Goldfields bolsters the regional talent pool.
“The big message in the program is to dream big,” Santalucia said. “I have stated right from the get go that we will aim to win every match we play and that reputations count for nothing.
“These girls will do WA proud and will be the leaders of a new era in WA female cricket.”
WA squad: Meuleman (captain), Ireland (vice-captain), Alysha Alikhan, Emma Davidson, Emma West, Georgia Wylie, Georgie Middleton, Gorgia Platten, Kailey Wheatcroft, Lucy Ballard, Molly Healy, Courtney Holt and Kate Rasmussen.