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Poulton set for Australia debut

The explosive Leah Poulton is set to make her senior debut for Australia after the squad was announced for the upcoming Rose Bowl series against New Zealand at Brisbane

Cricinfo staff
12-Sep-2006


It's time for Leah Poulton to step up to the seniors © Getty Images
The explosive Leah Poulton is set to make her senior debut for Australia after the squad was announced for the upcoming Rose Bowl series against New Zealand at Brisbane. Poulton, a top-order batsman, is a former captain of Australia under-19s and has been named in place of her New South Wales team-mate Alex Blackwell, who is carrying a knee injury. It is the only change in the 13-player squad to the side which whitewashed India in the Test and one-day series in February.
A strong year with the bat earned Poulton the senior call-up; she struck 325 runs in the domestic league, at an average of 32.50. "She is a talented player with a free-flowing game," explained the chairman of selectors, Margaret Jennings, "and we are keen to see how she performs against New Zealand, whom we expect to provide some very tough competition." Australia are the current holders of the trophy.
The series comprises five one-dayers and the first women's Twenty20 in Australia, which kicks off the tour on October 18. All ties will take place at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Squad Karen Rolton (capt), Lisa Sthalekar, Sarah Andrews, Kate Blackwell, Melissa Bulow, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Michelle Goszko, Julie Hayes, Shelley Nitschke, Kirsten Pike, Leah Poulton, Jodie Purves, Clea Smith.