Australia’s Domestic Stars Ready for Green v Gold and Australia A Series

Domestic Players Gear Up for Crucial Selection Trials Ahead of World Cups

Australia’s domestic women’s cricketers are gearing up for an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills, with the highly anticipated Green v Gold match and the Australia A series against England A set to take place in March and April. These fixtures will serve as a crucial platform for emerging talents to stake their claim for national selection, particularly with the Women’s One-Day World Cup in India later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026 on the horizon.

National selectors have finalized the squads for the three-day Green v Gold match at Phillip Oval in Canberra from March 12-14, along with a multi-format Australia A series against England A, providing 30 of Australia’s best domestic players a chance to impress at the highest level.

A Chance to Shine in the Longer Format

The Green v Gold match will see two evenly matched teams face off in a red-ball contest designed to test players in the longer format. Recently selected Australian squad member Nicole Faltum will lead the Green team, further cementing her growing leadership credentials. On the other side, Charli Knott, who played a key role in Queensland’s Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) Final, will captain the Gold team. The fixture offers players a rare opportunity to showcase their skills in multi-day cricket, an area of increasing importance in the women’s game.

The squads feature a mix of established domestic performers and young prospects looking to break into the national setup. WNCL Player of the Tournament Tahlia Wilson and WNCL Final Player of the Match Anika Learoyd are among the headline names set to feature in both the Green v Gold clash and the Australia A series.

Australia A vs England A – A Crucial Development Series

Following the Green v Gold match, Australia A will take on England A in a multi-format series, consisting of three T20s, three 50-over matches, and a four-day fixture. The series will serve as a key stepping stone for players hoping to push for national selection in the coming years.

Nationally contracted all-rounder Heather Graham has been handed the captaincy of the Australia A T20 side, while Faltum and Knott will share leadership duties across the 50-over and four-day squads. The squads also include four players with international experience, ensuring a competitive environment that mirrors the intensity of top-level cricket.

National Selector Shawn Flegler emphasized the importance of these series in shaping Australia’s future squad. "These matches are a vital part of our elite player pathway, offering some of our most promising domestic players a chance to prove themselves against high-quality opposition," Flegler said. "We’ve seen players like Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield transition successfully into the Australian team, and we’re always looking for the next wave of talent to step up."

Exciting New Faces and Established Performers

The squads feature a mix of rising stars and seasoned performers, with selectors keen to give opportunities to fresh faces. Promising young players such as Grace Dignam, Elsa Hunter, Gabby Sutcliffe, Sianna Ginger, and Rhys McKenna have been included across the squads, giving them a golden opportunity to gain valuable experience in high-pressure situations.

One of the most inspiring inclusions is the return of Lauren Cheatle and Rachel Trenaman, both of whom have overcome significant injury setbacks to earn their place in the squad. Their selection is a testament to their resilience and hard work over the years.

Fixtures and Key Dates

The Green v Gold match will take place in Canberra from March 12-14, providing selectors with a final chance to evaluate players ahead of the Australia A series against England A. The Australia A series will kick off with three T20s in Sydney, followed by three 50-over matches and a four-day game, all at Cricket Central.

Key Fixtures:

• Green v Gold Match: March 12-14, Phillip Oval, Canberra

• Australia A vs England A – T20 Series: March 26, 28, 30, Hurstville Oval, Sydney

• Australia A vs England A – 50-over Series: April 2, 4, 7, Cricket Central, Sydney

• Australia A vs England A – Four-Day Match: April 12-15, Cricket Central, Sydney

A Crucial Step Towards National Selection

With Australia’s senior squad set for a busy international schedule, including the ODI World Cup in India and a T20 World Cup in 2026, performances in these domestic and Australia A fixtures could be the stepping stone for several players aiming for national selection. The series will provide selectors with valuable insights into how players handle different formats and pressure situations, helping shape Australia’s next generation of cricket stars.