Women’s World Cup: Amanda-Jade Wellington recalled after Ashes snub

She was unlucky to miss out on selection in the Ashes but Amanda-Jade Wellington likely won’t have to spend long in the wilderness.

Australian selectors have corrected their brutal decision to snub spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington from the Ashes squad this summer and recalled her for the World Cup, which begins in March.

Her inclusion comes after Sophie Molineux failed in a bid to recover from injury in time for the tournament being staged in New Zealand.

Wellington was the leading wicket-taker in WBBL|07 so eyebrows were raised when she missed out on a place in the multi-format series against England, especially following injuries to fellow spinners Molineux and Georgia Wareham.

National selector Shawn Flegler said Australia was “desperate” to include Molineux in the squad but confirmed on Wednesday she had lost her race to recover from a stress fracture in time.

Molineux’s foot injury has paved the way for Wellington to return to the squad and prove her credentials at international level once and for all.

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“Sophie Molineux unfortunately misses out due to injury; she was unlikely to be available until the back-end of the tournament and with limited match time and having to complete ten days managed isolation, it was a tough call, but we weren’t prepared to take the risk,” said Flegler.

“Amanda-Jade provides us with another quality spin option and has the potential to play an important role spinning the ball away from the bat.”

Wellington (L) has taken six wickets across three T20s for Australia A so far in the Ashes. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Tweaker Alana King, who beat Wellington in the race for Ashes selection, has also been named in the World Cup squad.

As had already been confirmed, quick Tayla Vlaeminck will miss the World Cup through a stress fracture to her foot.

“It’s incredibly disappointing for Tayla to miss out,” said Flegler.

“We’re really disappointed for her after injuring her foot again and will continue to work with her as she recovers.”

Grace Harris, called into the Ashes squad as a replacement for Beth Mooney, has retained her spot in the ODI squad despite the fact that Mooney will make a full recovery from a jaw injury in time for the series.

Stella Campbell, who replaced Vlaeminck in the Ashes squad, hasn’t been so lucky.

Hannah Darlington and Georgia Redmayne have been named as reserve players but will only eligible to join the squad if injury or Covid-19 rules a player out.

“Some seriously good players have missed out, but we’ve been able to include them as standby players should injury or Covid come into play,” said Flegler.

“Hannah impressed during the India series, while Georgia continues to impress with the bat and importantly offers a back-up (wicket) keeping option.”

Australia’s women’s ODI side has lost one of its last 27 matches. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Australia is set to travel to New Zealand on February 10 in order to have ample time to complete 10 days of isolation before its first match on March 5.

Australia squad for the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup:

Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts CC)

Nic Carey (TAS/North Hobart CC)

Ash Gardner (NSW/Bankstown CC)

Grace Harris (QLD/Western Suburbs CC)

Rachael Haynes (VC) (NSW/Sydney CC)

Alyssa Healy (NSW/Sydney CC)

Jess Jonassen (QLD/Valleys District CC)

Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford CC)

Meg Lanning (c) (VIC/Box Hill CC)

Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg CC)

Beth Mooney (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)

Ellyse Perry (VIC/Dandenong CC)

Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt CC)

Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahan CC)

Amanda-Jade Wellington (SA, West Torrens CC)