Australia included the young pacer Lucy Hamilton in their squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, May 13. The six-time champions also declared their captain, Sophie Molineux, fit for the mega event in England starting on June 12.
Lucy Hamilton's inclusion came as a surprise, as the 20-year-old has played only one T20I since her debut in March. However, the left-arm pacer has been impressive in T20 cricket with the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and has already made her Test and ODI debuts.
Hamilton's inclusion came at Darice Brown's expense. Brown failed to pick any wickets in her last four T20Is played against West Indies and India earlier this year. The 23-year-old has claimed 34 wickets in 41 T20Is at an economy rate of 6.64, but her recent slump in form paved the way for Lucy Hamilton, who will partner with Kim Garth and the veteran Megan Schutt in the pace attack.
Notably, Australia women have included four spinners, including captain Sophie Molineux and her deputy Ashleigh Gardner, in the 15-member squad. With Alyssa Healy retired, Beth Mooney is set to don the keeping gloves in England. Tahlia Wilson is named as a traveling reserve, providing a backup to Mooney.
Australia women squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Ellyse Perry, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson (wk)
Australia explain Lucy Hamilton's inclusion in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
National selector Shawn Flegler shared Australia's call to pick Lucy Hamilton over Darcie Brown. He explained that the squad could benefit from the left-arm bowling option in form for Hamilton.
"We felt that we had quite a number of right-arm pace bowlers, so we've got the inclusion of Lucy Hamilton with a left-arm option in there. Every level she's played at, she's looked really comfortable," Flegler said.
Talking about Darcie Brown's exclusion, Flegler highlighted the right-arm pacer's recent struggles.
"We've been trying to get Darcie up over the last couple of years to be a frontline bowler in the Powerplay (but) she just hasn't quite nailed that opportunity," Flegler added. "We still think she's going to have a great career for Australia … she's still a young fast bowler, so it's not the end."
