WHILE attention will squarely be in New Zealand for the senior series between Australia and New Zealand, there is still plenty of top level women’s cricket in Australia before the end of the season.

The now annual Green vs. Gold multi day exhibition match is happening again this year, this time in Canberra, while Australia A is set to take on England A in a multi format series.

Across the three ‘A’ squads, youth is the name of the game with 29 year old Nicola Hancock the oldest player in any of the squads and the average age is 22.5.

Among the really positive stories of those who have made the squads is Lauren Cheatle and Rachel Trenaman, who have both overcome some horrid runs with injuries to make the squads.

Victoria is one of the big winners of the announcement, with Victorians Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Rhys McKenna, Ella Hayward and Nicole Faltum all named in at least one of the squads.

Among the others named are WNCL Player of the Final Anika Learoyd, emerging top order batter and wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson and Hannah Darlington, who does have international experience but seems to have fallen out of favour with selectors in recent years.

SQUADS

Australia A v England A

Australia A T20 squad: Heather Graham (c), Charli Knott (vc), Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Anika Learoyd, Rhys McKenna, Madeline Penna, Amy Smith, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson (wk)

Australia A 50-over squad: Nicole Faltum (c/wk), Charli Knott (vc), Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Anika Learoyd, Amy Smith, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson

Australia A Four-Day squad: Charli Knott (c), Nicole Faltum (vc/wk), Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Anika Learoyd, Lilly Mills, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson

Australia Green v Gold

Green: Nic Faltum (c), Katie Mack (vc), Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Grace Dignam,Sianna Ginger, Ella Hayward, Elsa Hunter, Lilly Mills, Georgia Prestwidge, Gabby Sutcliffe, Rachel Trenaman, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Gold: Charli Knott (c), Bridget Patterson (vc), Maitlan Brown, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Emma de Broughe, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Nicola Hancock, Anika Learoyd, Amy Smith, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson

FIXTURES

Australia Green v Gold

March 12-14 at Phillip Oval, Canberra

Australia A v England A

First T20: March 26 at Hurstville Oval, Sydney

Second T20: March 28 at Hurstville Oval, Sydney

Third T20: March 30 at Hurstville Oval, Sydney

First ODI: April 2 at Cricket Central, Sydney

Second ODI: April 4 at Cricket Central, Sydney

Third OD: April 7 at Cricket Central, Sydney

Four-day game: April 12-15 at Cricket Central, Sydney