McGrath, Manolini named for Under 19 Lanning vs Perry Series

The most promising female players from across the country will come together for three T20s and one 40-over match across four days to test their skills against fellow up-and-coming cricketers.

Two Western Australians have been selected, with Melville's Rebecca McGrath and Midland-Guildford's Shay Manolini both rewarded for their consistent form in last year's Under 19s Female National Championships. 

McGrath is a player of considerable talent, as both a top order batter and right-arm offspinner. She was a reliable contributor for WA in the National Championships played in Perth last December, finishing the tournament with 199 runs at 33.17, including a match-winning 60 as her team chased down NSW Country's score of 203 with five wickets in hand.

She was also on the cusp of making her Women's National Cricket League debut late in the summer, after being selected as part of WA's travelling squad for back-to-back matches against Victoria at Citipower Centre.

Manolini, a promising legspinner who bowls with great skill and accuracy, was a standout for WA across the Championships, finishing with 16 wickets at 12.31. Her best figures (4-21 off four overs) came in the victory against ACT, a match where she also took a hattrick. 

She got the opportunity to travel with the WA Women's squad on the pre-season tour to Queensland last month, where she performed impressively against seasoned opponents. 

Her wickets tally placed her equal-second among the leading wicket-takers for the tournament. 
 
The group includes six players from the Australian squad which played in the semi-final of the inaugural ICC Under 19 Women's T20 World Cup in January, while seven of the players are contracted for the upcoming Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season.

In addition to the matches, over the course of the week players will participate in sessions which are designed to develop team building skills and provide education on nutrition, integrity, player wellbeing and first-nations culture.

State and territory pathway coaches Andy Christie (Cricket Victoria) and Darius Wyatt (South Australia) will coach the two sides with the support of former Australian internationals Delissa Kimmince and Kristen Beams.

Beams, who played 49 matches for Australia across all formats, will shortly commence as the National Development Lead at Cricket Australia, working within the talent pathways.

Selection for the series was finalised by the YSP with the support of State and Territory Associations through nominations based on performances.

Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, said:
 
“The Lanning vs. Perry series has become an integral part of an extensive player pathway for the best young female cricketers across Australia.

“With several WNCL contracted players involved in the series, we’re looking forward to an exceptionally high standard of cricket across the four matches.

“The education sessions, run by CA High Performance staff, are designed to help develop the next generation of cricketers as individuals off the field while familiarising them with the expectations and processes required to succeed at the highest level.

“We’re delighted to confirm Kristen Beams in the role of National Development Lead. Kristen brings a wealth of cricket experience as a player, administrator and coach and will be a valuable resource for our players as they progress through the talent pathways.”

2023 U19 Lanning vs. Perry squad

• Bonnie Berry (Queensland – Sunshine Coast Cricket Club)
• Paris Bowdler (ACT – TBC)
• Ella Briscoe (New South Wales – St George/Sutherland Cricket Club)
• Aanlyia Cheeran (Victoria – Geelong Cricket Club)
• Maggie Clark (South Australia – West Torrens Cricket Club)
• Tia Davidge (Victoria – Essendon Maribyrnong Park Cricket Club)
• Samara Dulvin (Victoria – Ringwood Cricket Club)
• Sienna Eve (New South Wales – Northern District Cricket Club)
• Hasrat Gill (Victoria – Melbourne Cricket Club)
• Lucy Hamilton (Queensland – Sunshine Coast Cricket Club)
• Amy Hunter (ACT – TBC)
• Elsa Hunter (New South Wales – Penrith Cricket Club)
• Sara Kennedy (Victoria – Carlton Cricket Club)
• Lauren Kua (New South Wales – Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
• Beth Lane (Tasmania – New Town Cricket Club)
• Eleanor Larosa (South Australia – Glenelg Cricket Club)
• Grace Lyons (ACT – Weston Creek-Molonglo Cricket Club)
• Shay Manolini (Western Australia – Midland-Guildford Cricket Club)
• Rebecca McGrath (Western Australia – Melville Cricket Club)
• Vaishnavi Munukutla (Victoria – Box Hill Cricket Club)
• Frankie Nicklin (New South Wales – Sydney University Cricket Club)
• Kate Pelle (New South Wales – Parramatta Cricket Club)
• Zoe Samuel (Victoria – Melbourne Cricket Club)
• Yashoda Senarathne (Victoria – Box Hill Cricket Club)
• Amy Smith (Tasmania – New Town Cricket Club)
• Beth Worthley (South Australia – Sturt Cricket Club)
  
  Fixture 

Monday 25 September
First T20 match | Norths Cricket Club, Brisbane
Second T20 match | Norths Cricket Club, Brisbane

Tuesday 26 September
40-over match | Norths Cricket Club, Brisbane

Thursday 28 September
Third T20 match | Norths Cricket Club, Brisbane