Erin Osborne

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Cricket Australia today announced the 2010/11 Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and Shooting Stars (U/21) with several players from NSW named in both squads.

The NSW players selected in the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, the senior National women’s squad, are Alex Blackwell, Alyssa Healy, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry, Leah Poulton and Lisa Sthalekar.

The first assignment for the squad will be the World Twenty20 Championships, to be played in the West Indies in May. In preparation for that tournament the Southern Stars will take part in a five day camp in Brisbane starting on April 8.

Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chair Christina Matthews said;

“The WNSP is continuing the rebuilding process following the retirements of Karen Rolton and Sarah Andrews and believes the players selected will form the basis of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars for many years to come,” Matthews said.

“With the average age of the squad just 24, the more experienced players will play a significant role in the development of the team over the next 12 months in assisting with the continued development of our younger players.

“We believe we’ve selected a very talented squad and we look forward to seeing how they progress over the next 12 months, starting with the ICC World Twenty20 in May.”

There are two NSW players missing from last year’s National squad; Sarah Andrews, who announced her retirement earlier this week, and Kate Blackwell who has unfortunately been omitted.

Victorians Kristen Beams, Julie Hunter and South Australian Julie Woerner have been selected in the senior National squad for the first time in their careers.

As they are still U/21, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy have also been selected in the Shooting Stars alongside fellow NSW Breakers Sarah Coyte, Claire Koski and Angela Reakes.

The 2009-10 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:
Name State Age
Kristen Beams VIC 25
Alex Blackwell NSW 26
Jessica Cameron* VIC 20
Lauren Ebsary WA 26
Sarah Elliott VIC 28
Rene Farrell WA 23
Jodie Fields QLD 25
Rachael Haynes VIC 23
Alyssa Healy* NSW 19
Julie Hunter VIC 26
Erin Osborne* NSW 20
Shelley Nitschke SA 33
Ellyse Perry* NSW 19
Kirsten Pike QLD 25
Leah Poulton NSW 26
Lisa Sthalekar NSW 30
Elyse Villani* VIC 20
Julie Woerner SA 25

* These players are eligible to play at under-21 level and will also be available for selection in the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad.

2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad

Meanwhile, the 2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars (under-21) squad was also announced today by the WNSP.

The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad is:

Name State Age
Cassie Brock VIC 19
Sarah Coyte NSW 18
Katelyn Fryett TAS 17
Alyssa Healy* NSW 19
Kathryn Jenkin QLD 19
Jessica Jonassen QLD 17
Claire Koski NSW 18
Meg Lanning VIC 17
Ellyse Perry* NSW 19
Emilee Preston ACT 19
Angela Reakes NSW 19
Selena Tainton QLD 19
Gemma Triscari WA 20
Elyse Villani* VIC 20

*AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad member under 21 years of age