Australian Women’s Cricket team prepares for World Cup on the Sunshine Coast

Council’s Elizabeth Daniels Sport Complex will play host to the Australian Women’s Cricket Team from May 29 to June 2 for their final week of preparation leading into the ICC Women’s World Cup in England.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said it was a pleasure to welcome the Australian Women’s Cricket Team – the Southern Stars - to the Sunshine Coast as they prepared for the upcoming World Cup.

“They couldn’t have chosen a better place to finalise their preparations,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“I’m sure the team will enjoy our beautiful winter weather, great facilities and the warm hospitality of our Coast community who are very experienced in welcoming elite sporting teams.

“Thanks to the Southern Stars and the highly successful WBBL competition, women’s cricket is at the forefront of a boom in the popularity of women’s sport in this country. The profile of the game, and its players, has never been higher.

“For many years now, the Southern Stars have been one of our most successful national sporting squads – and their players are outstanding role models for young cricketers.

“I’m sure they will be well placed to contest the World Cup in England and add to the six World Cups they have already secured.”

Australian Women’s Cricket Captain Meg Lanning said the team was really excited to spend some valuable time on the Sunshine Coast as they put the final touches on their World Cup preparations.

“The facilities here are first class and the weather is even better, so we’ll be looking to get some match practice in and make the most of the time we have on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.

Mayor Jamieson said cricket was a very important part of our sporting mix on the Sunshine Coast.

“Our council is focussed on providing developmental pathways for local and first-class cricket opportunities,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“This year the Sunshine Coast will host the under-17 men’s national championships for the third straight year and expect to again have a number of State teams visit us for pre-season camps – as they have done for many years now.

“This is of course coming off the back of a highly successful Big Bash pre–season campaign held at Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex in December where the Heat took on the Hurricanes in two practice matches.

“Council has recently invested in venue upgrades and we are investigating further upgrades to develop the Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex into a higher level Cricket Australia-accredited facility.

“These facility upgrades represent a long-term investment in cricket on the Coast, including local clubs who use the venues throughout the cricket season.

“On behalf of the Sunshine Coast, I wish the Southern Stars the best of luck for the camp and in their defence of the World Cup.”

Australian squad named for ICC Women’s World Cup

The National Selection Panel has named a 15-player squad ahead of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England and Wales beginning on June 24.

Sarah Aley NSW

Kristen Beams VIC

Alex Blackwell NSW

Nicole Bolton WA

Ashleigh Gardner NSW

Rachael Haynes NSW

Alyssa Healy NSW

Jess Jonassen QLD

Meg Lanning VIC

Beth Mooney QLD

Ellyse Perry NSW

Megan Schutt SA

Belinda Vakarewa NSW

Elyse Villani WA

Amanda-Jade Wellington SA

Australia will begin their quest for a record seventh World Cup on 26 June against the West Indies at The County Ground, Taunton.

England, New Zealand, West Indies, India, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will join Australia in the tournament with each side to face off against the other seven nations concluding with semi-finals at Bristol and Derby before the final at Lords on 23 July.

Australia is the defending champions having won a record sixth World Cup in 2013 after defeating the West Indies by 114 runs in the final in India.

Australia's World Cup schedule

June 26: Australia v West Indies, Taunton

June 29: Australia v Sri Lanka, Bristol

July 2: Australia v New Zealand, Bristol

July 5: Australia v Pakistan, Leicester

July 9: Australia v England, Bristol

July 12: Australia v India, Bristol

July 15: Australia v South Africa, Taunton

July 18: First semi-final, Bristol

July 20: Second semi-final, Derby

July 23: Final, Lords.