Graham Croker
Universities Cricket Club captain Lisa Sthalekar and team-mates Alex and Kate Blackwell have been named in a 30-player preliminary Australian squad for the 2009 Women’s World Cup.
The squad will be whittled down to 15 at the end of the month in preparation for the World Cup, which will be staged in Sydney, Newcastle, Bowral and Canberra in March.
The Southern Stars will play New Zealand in a Twenty20 match before the Australian and New Zealand men’s teams meet in a one-day game at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15.
The 30-player Australian squad is: Sarah Andrews (NSW), Alex Blackwell (NSW), Kate Blackwell (NSW), Melissa Bulow (Qld), Kris Britt (SA), Jessica Cameron (Vic), Renee Chappell (WA), Leonie Coleman (NSW), Lauren Ebsary (WA), Sarah Edwards (Vic), Rene Farrell (WA), Jodie Fields (Qld), Corinne Hall (NSW), Rachel Haynes (Vic), Alyssa Healy (NSW), Jessica Jonassen (Qld), Delissa Kimmince (Qld), Shelley Nitschke (SA), Erin Osborne (NSW), Ellyse Perry (NSW), Kirsten Pike (Qld), Leah Poulton (NSW), Karen Rolton (SA), Emma Sampson (SA), Clea Smith (Vic), Lisa Sthalekar (NSW), Selina Tainton (Qld), Jo-Ann Verrall (Qld), Elyse Villani (Vic) and Julie Woerner (SA).
Meanwhile, Universities defeated Campbelltown-Camden in their 50-over, round 11 Sydney Women’s Grade Cricket clash at David Philips North Oval on Sunday.
Chasing Campbelltown-Camden’s 4-288, which was anchored by Sarah Coyte’s 112 not out, Universities finished with 8-231, thanks to strong contributions from Kate Owen (35), Lisa Sthalekar (33) and Sarah Hungerford (33).
Universities Seconds lost their match against Penrith, who scored 4-271 off their 50 overs before holding the Students to 8-99.
