Aussies call up Nicole Bolton, Jess Jonassen to bolster squad for World T20 in West Indies

EXPERIENCED pair Nicole Bolton and Jess Jonassen have been added to Australia’s squad as they attempt to win back the title won by West Indies two years ago in the Caribbean next month.

Nicole Bolton is included despite only playing two T20 internationals.

EXPERIENCED pair Nicole Bolton and Jess Jonassen have been added to Australia’s squad to contest the World T20 in West Indies in November.

Jonassen missed the recent T20 series whitewash of New Zealand with a knee complaint but is hopeful of returning for two warm-up games in the lead up to the tournament.

Opener Bolton averages 46 with the bat in 44 ODI appearances but has only played two career T20 internationals.

The squad, to be captained by Meg Lanning, is otherwise unchanged from the unit that cruised past the Kiwis as they attempt to win back the title won by West Indies in 2016.

“We have a stable playing group who are gelling really well,” selector Shawn Flegler said.

Nicole Bolton is included despite only playing two T20 internationals.

“Nicole’s generally been considered a 50-over player but she’s put in a lot of work to improve her short-form game and its evident in her recent T20 form.”

Australia will also play three ODI matches against Pakistan in a three-match series in Malaysia later this month, with three T20s scheduled against the same opposition before the team travels directly to the tournament.

ICC World T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.

ODI squad to play Pakistan: Meg Lanning (c), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.