PREPARATIONS for next month’s Women’s Ashes Series continue to heat up, with the Governor-General’s XI named for the warm up match against the travelling English, which will be a 50 over match in Sydney.

The biggest name in the line up is Alyssa Healy, with the Australian captain looking to get some consistent minutes in the middle ahead of the Ashes after some injury interrupted months recently.

She will not captain the side, with Victorian captain Nicole Faltum given that honour, with Queensland star Charli Knott set to be her deputy.

It is also not clear if she will take the keeper’s gloves, with Faltum and Tahlia Wilson both keeping options.

Healy is also not the nationally contracted player in the squad, with Darcie Brown, Georgia Voll and Heather Graham also in the squad.

These players will be joined by some of the nation’s best young stars, including the likes of Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff and Milly Illingworth.

The squad also features Leading Aircraftwoman Samantha Quadrio, whose inclusion continues a long standing association with the Australian Defence Force that provides the opportunity for eligible serving personnel to participate in the Governor-General’s XI match. Leading Aircraftwoman Quadrio is a pace bowler and top order batter.

The Governor-General’s XI match against England will take place at North Sydney Oval on January 9, and will be England’s only warm up match ahead of the Ashes. Former Australian opener Nicole Bolton will coach the Governor-General’s XI in the match.

Governor-General’s XI squad for warm up match vs England  

Nicole Faltum (c)
Charli Knott (vc)
Darcie Brown
Sophie Day
Tess Flintoff
Heather Graham
Alyssa Healy
Milly Illingworth
Anika Learoyd
Rhys McKenna
Amy Smith
Georgia Voll
Tahlia Wilson
Samantha Quadrio (Australian Defence Force)