Victoria’s Hasrat Gill, a talented leg-spinner with experience in the T20 Spring Challenge, has been named in Australia’s 15-player squad for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2. Born in Amritsar, Punjab, and moving to Australia at the age of three, Gill is now set to make her international debut.
The squad, which includes a blend of seasoned domestic players and promising young talent, aims to improve on last year’s semi-final finish and compete for the title.
Gill, who plays for Melbourne Cricket Club, was previously selected for the Australian women’s U19 squad, and has already represented Australia in an overseas tri-nation tournament in Sri Lanka, following the Under-19 National Championships and the Lanning versus Perry Series in the previous year.
Strong Squad with Key Players
The Australian team boasts a wealth of domestic experience, with 14 of the 15 players having competed in top-tier competitions such as the Weber WBBL, Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), and T20 Spring Challenge. Fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton, both standout performers in the WBBL, are among the key players returning for the tournament.
Veteran players returning for their second ICC U19 World Cup include Maggie Clark, Kate Pelle, Eleanor Larosa, and Lucy Hamilton. Clark, who claimed the most wickets in the inaugural edition, will be eager to make an even greater impact this time around.
One of the youngest players selected is 15-year-old Caoimhe Bray, whose stellar performances in the tri-series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka earlier this year earned her a spot in the squad. Bray impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 84 runs and taking 4-20 in a memorable win over New Zealand.
A Global Stage for Emerging Talent
Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, shared her excitement about the squad, emphasizing the players’ depth and potential. “We’re thrilled with the talent in this squad, and the Under-19 World Cup provides a fantastic opportunity for these players to showcase their skills on the global stage,” Thompson said.
Group Stage and Match Details
Australia will compete in Group D alongside Bangladesh, Scotland, and Nepal. All group stage matches will be held at UKM YSD Oval, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The group-stage fixtures are as follows:
- January 18: Australia vs. Scotland
- January 20: Australia vs. Bangladesh
- January 22: Australia vs. Nepal
The squad will be coached by Kristen Beams, a former Australia leg-spinner and current National Development Lead. The team’s captain will be announced shortly.
With a mixture of experienced players and rising stars, the Australian squad is ready to take on the challenges of the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and demonstrate their skills on the international stage.
