Perry passed fit, Australia to bowl first in WACA Test
Justin Chadwick |
Australia have handed a Test debut to left-arm pace bowler Lucy Hamilton and chosen to bowl first in their pink ball clash with India at the WACA Ground.
Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who missed all three ODI matches of the multi-format series with a quad niggle, has also been selected, but as a batter only.
Hamilton, 19, was included for her Test debut after Kim Garth was ruled out with a quad injury.
Incoming captain Sophie Molineux (back) will also miss the Test match.
The four-day match marks the final international appearance for Australia skipper Alyssa Healy.
The 35-year-old has been slated to bat at No.4.
India have named four debutants, including three pace bowlers – Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud and Kavshee Gautam.
Their other debutant is Pratika Rawal, who is set to bat at No.3.
Star India quick Renuka Thakur was ruled out of the Test as part of a management plan for her workloads.
Australia lead the multi-format series eight points to four, meaning India must win the Test in order to come away with a draw.
The temperature was already 36C at the toss, and Healy was keen to give her young quicks first crack on a green-tinged wicket.
“It’s an awkward one, because it looks very nice to bat, as a top order bat,” Healy told Fox Cricket.
“But we’ll see what’s on offer first up with ball in hand. We’ve got a young, exciting fast bowling cartel ready to rip in.
“I’m so excited for (Hamilton). She’s such an exciting prospect for us, and hopefully she rips in for us today.”
Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (capt), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney(wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, Darcie Brown
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud
AAP