Australia call on uncapped Beams

Legspinner Kristen Beams will be hoping to make her one-day international debut after being named in Australia's squad to take on Pakistan next month. Australia are hosting Pakistan for four ODIs and four Twenty20 internationals in Brisbane and the Gold Coast from August 21, and 13-player squads for the two series have now been named.

Beams was the leading wicket-taker in last summer's Women's National Cricket League with 14 victims at 13.21 and also impressed the selectors during tour matches against England last season.

The only inclusion from outside the T20 squad from the group that took out the World T20 title in Bangladesh in April was seamer Megan Schutt to replace Holly Ferling, who is recovering from a back injury. Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney, who were in the World T20 squad, missed out on selection.

"This series against Pakistan will be a great challenge for our players and an opportunity to perform strongly in front of our home crowds which continue to support the development of the women's game," Julie Savage, the women's national selection panel chair, said.

"It is also the first series we have contested that will count towards qualification for the next ICC Women's World Cup. As the current title-holders, we are determined to ensure we qualify well for this event, so it is imperative our squad performs in this series and continues to play an exciting and entertaining style of cricket.

"In the one-day international area, it's exciting for Australian cricket to have a legspinner included in the squad. Kristen Beams performed extremely well at domestic level last season and thoroughly deserves this opportunity.

"Megan [Schutt] has been a consistent performer at domestic level for South Australia but hasn't been able to cement a spot in the starting XI for the Southern Stars so she will be itching for an opportunity and that pressure for positions is encouraging."