Australia tour of India (Women) 2022: Australia Women's squad announced for 5 WT20Is.

Australia tour of India (Women) 2022: The Australian Women's team is going to tour India for 5 T20Is. Australia will leave for India on December 4. The first of the five T20Is is on December 9. All-rounder Heather Graham received another call-up, and young gun Phoebe Litchfield and former Ireland international Kim Garth sprinted into Australia's women's T20 team to tour India. Tuesday morning, Cricket Australia released their 15-player squad, with new vice-captain Tahlia McGrath and new stand-in captain Alyssa Healy. Meg Lanning, who is again unable to lead the team on this trip, is replaced by Healy.

Both champion teams will be able to build on this series as they continue to get ready for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 to be held in South Africa. The last time these two teams faced off was in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games final, where the Australians triumphed by a margin of nine runs to claim the gold medal.

DON'T MISS: Nicholas Pooran steps down as West Indies? T20I and ODI skipper

Australia tour of India 2022: Australia Women's squad announced

Australia Women's Squad: Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland.

Cricket Australia also declared the schedule for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India where the opening face-off will be on December 9 and the last on December 21.

Shawn Flegler, Australia's Head of Performance (Women's Cricket) and National Selector said, "These five matches form an important part of the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in South Africa as well as providing an opportunity for some players to gain some experience in Indian conditions."

He added, "India will be a good test; they're a strong side and the two teams have had some good battles in recent times. Without Meg and Rachael, this series will provide opportunities for players, particularly in the top order, so we're looking forward to seeing who puts their hand up."

Talking on Grath, the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, Flegler said, "It's pleasing to have been able to reward Phoebe, Kim, and Heather for strong form throughout the WBBL and hopefully they get the chance to show what they can do at some stage during the series."

"We've had an eye on Phoebe for a while and she's really taken her game to the next level this summer. She's made her mark at the top of the order for the Sydney Thunder and we're looking forward to seeing what she can do in Australian colors. Kim's another who's been in our thinking, she's had a couple of strong seasons with the ball and adds extra depth to our pace bowling stocks," Flegler added.

"Heather hasn't had many opportunities to break into the side, but she's toiled away with both bat and ball in domestic cricket. She adds depth to the middle order and provides Shelley and Alyssa with another pace bowling option."

"Alyssa will get the chance to lead the side in Meg's absence which is exciting, and Tahlia will no doubt take plenty from being her deputy. She's worked hard on developing that side of her game and thoroughly deserves the opportunity," he concluded.

ALSO READ: IPL franchise asks BCCI to reschedule Tata IPL 2023 Auction due to Christmas

Visit ICC CRICKET SCHEDULE for more cricketing updates.