(Pictured: Kate Pelle smacks 75 in the final of the U19 Female National Championships in Perth)
Cricket Australia has today announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming Women's U19 T20 World Cup, featuring four players from New South Wales.
The Youth Selection Panel has named Ella Briscoe, Caoimhe Bray, Juliette Morton and Kate Pelle following the conclusion of the 2024 Under 19 Female National Championships in Perth, where Briscoe, Morton and Pelle were instrumental in helping NSW Metropolitan successfully secure a title three-peat, securing an 82-run victory over Queensland.
Pelle has been selected for her second ICC Under 19 World Cup, having opened the batting, and kept wicket in Australia's previous T20 campaign in South Africa in 2023.
Following a breakout season with the Sydney Sixers and stand-out performances for Australia against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, fifteen-year-old Caoimhe Bray has been named in her first World Cup squad.
Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, said:
“It’s been wonderful to see the amount of talent on display at this year’s Under 19 Female National Championships. We’ve seen some fantastic individual performances, and I’d like to congratulate NSW Metro on their win.
“We’re excited by the level of talent in the World Cup squad, which includes many players who have experience in senior domestic cricket environments.
“The Under-19 World Cup provides players with an exceptional development opportunity, and we look forward to watching the team play in Malaysia.
“The National Youth Selection Panel worked closely with State Talent Managers to select the World Cup Squad, with consideration is given to performances across a variety of competitions, including the T20 Spring Challenge, WNCL, Weber WBBL, International U19 series as well as the National Championships.
"Inevitably, there were difficult selection decisions, but we will continue to support and monitor the development of all players in our pathway systems.”
The ICC Under 19 T20 World Cup will be held in Malaysia across January and February, with Australia placed in Group D alongside Bangladesh, Scotland and Nepal.
Australia Under 19 T20 World Cup Squad
Chloe Ainsworth (WA/Melville District CC)
Lily Bassingthwaighte (QLD/Western Suburbs District CC)
Caoimhe Bray (NSW/Greater Hunter Coast Premier CC)
Ella Briscoe (NSW/St George-Sutherland Women's CC)
Maggie Clark (SA/West Torrens District CC)
Hasrat Gill (VIC/Melbourne CC)
Lucy Hamilton (QLD/Sunshine Coast CC)
Amy Hunter (ACT/Eastlake CC)
Sara Kennedy (VIC/Carlton CC)
Eleanor Larosa (SA/Glenelg District CC)
Grace Lyons (ACT/Western Creek Molongo CC)
Ines McKeon (WA/Midland Guildford CC)
Juliette Morton (NSW/St George-Sutherland Women's CC)
Kate Pelle (NSW/Parramatta Women's Grade CC)
Tegan Williamson (WA/Wanneroo District CC)
Australia’s 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Group Matches
Jan 18: Australia v Scotland, YSD-UKM Cricket Oval | Bangi
Jan 20: Australia v Bangladesh, YSD-UKM Cricket Oval | Bangi
Jan 22: Australia v Nepal, YSD-UKM Cricket Oval | Bangi
A full list of World Cup fixtures can be found here.