Irish international Kim Garth has been selected for Australia‘s T20 tour of India alongside Phoebe Litchfield and Heather Graham

Alyssa Healy will captain a new-look T20 side for the upcoming tour of India, including an Irish international, writes LACHLAN MCKIRDY.

Garth is a surprise inclusion in the squad headed to India. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Former Irish international Kim Garth is a shock inclusion in Australia’s 15-player squad for the five-match T20 series in India next month.

The 26-year-old has played for Ireland 85 times, debuting at the age of 14, and last appeared for her native country in 2019. She moved to Victoria in 2020 to pursue her goal of becoming a professional cricketer and obtained permanent residency earlier this year, thus making her eligible for Australian selection.

Garth, a bowling all-rounder, was named the Melbourne Stars’ player-of-the-year last season after taking 15 wickets at 18.73. She finished with 12 wickets in WBBL08.

Garth is one of three players aiming to make their T20I debut in India. The squad will be captained by Alyssa Healy for the first time in Meg Lanning’s absence.

Garth has played for Ireland 85 times, and has captained them on two occasions. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Phoebe Litchfield has also received a maiden call-up to the national squad. The prodigious 19-year-old has been one of the most exciting batting talents in Australia and is coming off her most productive WBBL season to date with 280 runs across 13 matches.

She scored her first WNCL century earlier this season and Healy has previously tipped Litchfield as an option for Australia’s middle order going forward.

“She’s only a young cricketer, but I mean she’s incredibly talented,” Healy told reporters in October.

“That left-handed option is something that in the Aussie side we really look to in that middle order.

“I can see Phoebe playing for Australia for a long period of time.”

Heather Graham is the other player hoping to force her way into the side. The 26-year-old played one ODI back in 2019 but has been a member of several extended squads, including as an emergency player during this year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

The all-rounder had a strong WBBL08 with 237 runs and eight wickets and was a critical factor in the Hurricanes returning to the finals for the first time in seven years.

The T20 series against India will be Australia’s first since 2016 without either Lanning or Rachael Haynes, the latter now officially retired after playing her final game for the Sydney Thunder on Sunday.

Phoebe Litchfield has been called up to her first Australian squad. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The other significant omission from Australia’s Commonwealth Games-winning squad is leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington.

Wellington was named in the WBBL08 team of the tournament on Monday after taking 21 wickets this season. However, she has been left out of the group travelling to India on December 4, with selectors content with their spinning stocks of Alana King, Jess Jonassen and Ash Gardner.

The five matches are Australia’s only overseas preparation before next year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Accordingly, national selector Shawn Flegler indicated the squad was selected with consideration given to providing players with international experience before launching their title defence.

“It’s pleasing to have been able to reward Phoebe, Kim and Heather for strong form throughout the WBBL,” Flegler said. “Hopefully they get the chance to show what they can do at some stage during the series.

“Without Meg and Rachael, this series will provide opportunities for players, particularly in the top order, so we’re looking forward to seeing who puts their hand up.”

The Australian team will be in action for the first time since winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

It is expected that Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland will be given the first opportunity to replace Lanning and Haynes in the Australian XI.

Both all-rounders were on the periphery of the team during recent World Cup and Commonwealth Games triumphs, but enjoyed strong WBBL campaigns.

Tahlia McGrath will be elevated to the Australian vice-captaincy. It adds to the 27-year-old’s growing leadership experience after she led the Adelaide Strikers to second place in WBBL08.

FULL AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR TOUR OF INDIA

Alyssa Healy (c)

Tahlia McGrath (vc)

Darcie Brown

Nicola Carey

Ashleigh Gardner

Kim Garth

Heather Graham

Grace Harris

Jess Jonassen

Alana King

Phoebe Litchfield

Beth Mooney

Ellyse Perry

Megan Schutt

Annabel Sutherland

Originally published as Irish international Kim Garth has been selected for Australia‘s T20 tour of India alongside Phoebe Litchfield and Heather Graham