Lanning back in Aussie gold for India tour

Australia captain Meg Lanning will return to lead her country in next month's tour of India, while promising young allrounders Sophie Molineux and Nicola Carey are in line to make their international debuts.

Lanning has been named in Australia's ODI and T20 squads for the subcontinent series, where she'll make her long-awaited return from injury after undergoing shoulder surgery last August.

She's one of four inclusions in the 14-strong ODI squad to play three matches in Vadodara, alongside uncapped allrounders Molineux and Carey, and NSW quick Belinda Vakarewa.

Molineux, who was named the Rebel Young Gun for WBBL|03 after a breakout season for the Renegades, has been called up for Australia for the first time.

Both she and Carey have also been included in the 14-player T20 squad for the tri-series featuring Australia, India and England, alongside Carey's Thunder teammate Naomi Stalenberg.

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Australia T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Lanning, 25, last played for Australia in their World Cup semi-final defeat – to India – in Derby last July.

The national skipper was then forced to watch from the sidelines as the Southern Stars, under the leadership of acting captain Rachael Haynes – who has now been named vice-captain following the retirement of Alex Blackwell – retained the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes late last year.

She had hoped to make her playing return for Victoria in the final round of the Women's National Cricket League last weekend, but Australia are taking a cautious approach with the star's return.

"Meg's rehab has been progressing well, she's back to her old self with the bat and with a few weeks until the first match, we're confident she'll be right to play when the times comes," National selection Shawn Flegler said.

"Meg will resume the captaincy and we're extremely fortunate to have Rach as her deputy after doing a fantastic job as stand-in skipper during the Women's Ashes. She'll be a great sounding board for Meg and will continue to drive the standards of the team."

But while Lanning returns, Australia have been struck a blow with promising young South Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath ruled out of the tour.

McGrath, who played an important role in Australia's Ashes success, had been in good form throughout WBBL|03 but experienced back pain during the final round of WNCL, with scans showing a recurrence of bone oedema in her lumbar spine.

"It's unfortunate for Tahlia that she was unavailable for selection, she showed great skills and character during the Ashes and in domestic cricket so the focus for her now will be to get her body right with a view to the World T20," Flegler said.

Also missing from Australia's Ashes ODI squad are retired vice-captain Blackwell, injured quick Lauren Cheatle and leg-spinner Kristen Beams, who has missed selection.

Molineux, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm orthodox, scored 170 runs at 28.33 during the WNCL season, also picking up eight wickets at 21.62.

In WBBL|03, the 20-year-old from Bairnsdale in country Victoria scored 318 runs at 26.50, with a strike rate of 116.06, and snared six wickets with a neat economy rate of 6.39.

Australia coach Matthew Mott had forecast bold changes to the T20 squad last week, saying selectors would look to the longer-term with two World T20 tournaments to be played in the next two years.

With that mission to win both the 2018 and 2020 World T20 titles in mind, four players come into the T20I squad from the group who suffered a 2-1 defeat to England during the 20-over leg of the Ashes: Lanning, Molineux, Carey and Stalenberg.

Stalenberg, 23, has one T20I cap to her name after making her debut against India at Adelaide Oval in 2016, while Carey has yet to play for the Southern Stars, despite being part of several touring parties including the 2016 WT20 squad.

Carey enjoyed a strong season for the Thunder, taking 17 wickets at 20.58 and showing her skills with the bat in an explosive 17-ball 47. Thunder teammate Stalenberg also impressed with several powerful cameos in the middle-order.

The quartet come into the squad for Blackwell, NSW pace bowler Sarah Aley - who misses out despite being the equal-leading wicket taker in WBBL|03 - and Victorian off-spinner Molly Strano.

"Sophie is a really exciting youngster that has shown immense talent as a batter and spin bowler and someone who the selectors have had their eyes on for a while," Flegler said.

"She's been a standout especially in the Women's Big Bash and this tour will give her the opportunity to get a taste of the Australian setup in what will be some challenging Indian conditions.

"We've been pleased with the progress of Naomi and Belinda this season, they've both had a taste of playing at an international level and this tour will give them the chance to impress and benefit from an overseas tour.

"Nicola has already been to two World Cups with Australia so she's no stranger to this level. She's showed strong domestic form and has earned her spot in both sides."

Former Australian cricketers Shelley Nitschke and Ashley Noffke will also travel to India as assistant coaches, in place of outgoing coaches Tim Coyle and Joe Dawes.

Australia fly to India on March 3 and will play two 50-over warm-up games in Mumbai on March 6 and 8 before heading to Vadodara for the first ODI on March 12. The three ODIs will count towards the ICC Women's Championship, which determines the teams who gain automatic qualification for the 2021 World Cup.

Australia tour of India

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 8

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 6

ODI series

First ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 12

Second ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 15

Third ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 18

T20I tri-series

First T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 22

Second T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 23

Third T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 25

Fourth T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, March 26

Fifth T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 28

Sixth T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 29

Final Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 31