India name squad for the 2013 Women’s World Cup – Cricket News Update
The Board of Control for Cricket in India selectors on Monday named their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup, to be held in Mumbai from January 31 to February 17, 2013.
All-rounder Thirush Kamini and wicketkeeper batsman Karu Jain have been recalled into the national team for the marquee tournament. Jain, 27, last played a One Day International for India back in September 2008, during the national team’s tour of England. Kamini, the 22-year-old Tamil Nadu left-handed batter, who also bowls handy leg-spin, has also not donned the Indian colours over the last more than two years. Her last ODI appearance for India was also against England, in February 2010.
The 24-year-old right arm off-spinner Archana Das, who made her international debut in February 2012, against West Indies, failed to make a cut for the global event despite having impressed in the nine One Day Internationals she played this year. The nine ODI appearances saw Das picking up 13 wickets at an impressive average of 23.23, including career best haul of four for 61.
Mithali Raj will continue leading the side in the latest edition of the women’s premier fifty-overs tournament. It may be noted here that Raj was also the captain of the side that reached the World Cup finals back in 2005 in South Africa, India’s best showing thus far in the women’s world cup.
A total of eight teams will compete in the latest edition of the Women’s World Cup. The participating sides have been divided into two groups of four each. The hosts have been drawn in Group A, along with defending champions England, Sri Lanka and West Indies. The other half constitutes Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The curtain raiser will be played between former Champions Australia and Pakistan on January 31. India will also play their first match on the same day, against West Indies, at the Wankhede Stadium
Squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Ekta Bisht, Karu Jain, Jhulan Goswami, Reema Malhotra, Mona Meshram, Sulakshana Naik, Nagarajan Niranjana, Rasanara Parwin, Poonam Raut, Amita Sharma, Shubhlakshmi Sharma, Thirush Kamini, Gouher Sultana