Common Wealth Games 2022 Strong Squads: IND, AUS and NZ

India have announced a 15-member squad for the 2022 Birmingham Common Wealth Games, the first edition of the tournament that will feature women’s T20Is. The squad will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with opener Smriti Mandhana named as her deputy. Other regulars include opener Shafali Verma, spinners Sneh Rana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar and wicketkeeper-batter Taniya Bhatia. Batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Sabbhineni Meghana, as well as pacer Meghna Singh also find a place in the squad. Simran Dil Bahadur, Richa Ghosh and Poonam Yadav have been named as the reserves. 

India have been grouped with Australia, Barbados and Pakistan in the eight-team Common Wealth Games . The top two teams from each group will face-off in the semis. India will open their campaign against Australia on 29 July and will face off against Pakistan on July 31. They will play their final group game against Barbados on 3 August. All three fixtures will be played in Edgbaston, Birmingham. This is India’s squad for the inaugural Common Wealth Games.

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, S. Meghana, Taniya Sapna Bhatia, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana. Standby: Simran Dil Bahadur, Richa Ghosh, Poonam Yadav

After their barnstorming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 victory, Australia have named the same squad for the Common Wealth Games in Birmingham, as well as their T20I tri-series with Ireland and Pakistan. The tri-series at the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland provides the ideal preparation for Meg Lanning’s side, under interim head coach Shelley Nitschke.

A key member of Australia’s staff, Nitschke steps up after the departure of Matthew Mott, who takes the role as England men’s white-ball coach. Continuity is key in Australia’s player stocks though, and the side are strong favourites to add to their trophy collection. After 50-over domination in New Zealand, Lanning’s side are also T20 World Cup champions, and come off recent series wins in the format over rivals England and India.

Outside of the squad, Tayla Vlaeminck (knee) and Georgia Wareham (ankle) continue their injury rehabilitation, though both are unlikely to feature for most of the Australian summer later this year. Whilst picked in the squad, Ellyse Perry is yet to fully recover from stress fractures in her lower back, and is expected to play solely as a batter on the tour. Her availability to bowl will be “dependent on her progress in the coming weeks and on the medical advice” according to team physio, Kate Beerworth.

Australia’s Common Wealth Games Squad: Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes (VC), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Lea Tahuhu has been named as a replacement for the upcoming Common Wealth Games, alongside Claudia Green. The pair replace batter Lauren Down and Jess Kerr, with the pair both ruled out for the Birmingham 2022 tournament. Down has withdrawn from the squad in order to prioritize her well-being and will take a break from cricket, while Kerr’s injury from the end of their Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign will sideline her for the Games.

The quick bowler is on target to return for New Zealand’s tour of the West Indies in September, while Down will make her return when she feels appropriate. Tahuhu’s international future was unclear after missing out on a central contract last month, though the bowling all-rounder’s ability with the bat was cited as a reason by new head coach Ben Sawyer. Lea offers genuine pace and bounce with the ball and her ability with the bat gives us options. “Lea is a familiar face so will be able to hit the ground running at training camp next week.”

Yet to receive an international cap, Green has been around the White Ferns’ group, and was a touring member on their trip to England last year. Touted as a like-for-like replacement for Kerr, Sawyer feels her ability to move the ball in the air could prove to be a valuable asset in the side’s campaign. “Claudia has a similar skill-set to Jess so fits nicely into the squad make-up. “Her ability to swing the ball is an exciting aspect of her game and we look forward to having her on tour in England.”

New Zealand Squad for Common Wealth Games:- Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Claudia Green, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.