Young Queenslanders Set For Series

Lilli Hamilton, Chelsea Sonter (pictured above) and Ayaka Stafford, all members of the Western Suburbs team that won the Katherine Raymont Shield last month, are among the26 underage players to take part.

The trio were also members of the Queensland Under1-19 team that finished second in the National titles in Perth, with off-spinner Hamilton named in the Cricket Australia’s carnival merit team.

Hamilton, a Year 12 student in Toowoomba, made her Women’s National Cricket League debut for the Queensland Fire this season, as well as playing for the Heat in their inaugural T20 Spring Challenge.

Sonter, a wicket-keeper, and Stafford, a leg-spinner (pictured below), were also both members of the Queensland Under-16 team that finished as runners-up in the National titles in Ballarat.

Cricket Australia’s Youth Selection Panel (YSP) has invited 26 underage players to take part in this month’s Lanning vs. Perry Series to be played at the National Cricket Campus (NCC) in Brisbane. 

The most promising female players from across the country will come together for three T20 matches as Australia begin preparations for the 2027 ICC Under 19 T20 World Cup. 

The games will be held at Northern Suburbs grounds at Shaw Road, Kalinga which is part of the National Cricket Campus.

Seven-time World Cup winner and three-time Belinda Clark Award recipient Meg Lanning will act as an assistant coach for the Lanning Squad but will work closely with all players throughout the series. 

An inspirational leader, Lanning was appointed Australian captain at age 21 and oversaw a period of unrivalled dominance for the Australian women’s team. 

In addition to the matches, over the course of the week players will participate in sessions which are designed to build connection and focus on holistic development. 
 
Selection for the series was finalised by the YSP with the support of State and Territory Associations through a nomination process. 

2025 U19 Lanning vs. Perry Squad 
Ira Aery (VIC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Cricket Club) 
Mia Barwick (TAS/North Hobart Cricket Club) 
Molly Dare (NSW/Greater Hunter Coast Premier Cricket Club) 
Alyssa Dermody (WA/Perth Cricket Club) 
Ava Drury (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club) 
Lucy Fletcher (VIC Prahran Cricket Club) 
Lili Hamilton (QLD/Western Suburbs District Cricket Club) 
Arabella Handley (NSW/Manly Warringah District Cricket Club) 
Alison Healey (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club) 
Ivy Hobbs (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club) 
Emily Jacobs (WA/South Perth Cricket Club) 
Jasmine Kamboj (VIC/Carlton Cricket Club) 
Emma Krynauw (WA/Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club) 
Aurora Mavros (NSW/Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club) 
Charli McLennan (VIC/Carlton Cricket Club) 
Ilona Melegh (SA/Adelaide Cricket Club) 
Indigo Noble (VIC/Melbourne Cricket Club) 
Indira Panelli (SA/Kensington District Cricket Club) 
Sophie Parsons (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club) 
Emily Powell (NSW/Sydney Cricket Club) 
Kaya Punter (NSW/Manly Warringah District Cricket Club) 
Noura Abdul Qader (VIC/Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club) 
Chelsea Sonter (QLD/Western Suburbs District Cricket Club) 
Ayaka Stafford (QLD/Western Suburbs District Cricket Club) 
Tegan Williamson (WA/Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club) 
Ajay Willoughby (SA/West Torrens District Cricket Club)

Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, said:  
“The Lanning vs. Perry series has become an integral part of an extensive player pathway for the best young female cricketers across Australia. 

“It’s an exciting period coming up for this age group as we begin a new cycle towards the 2027 Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. 

“We are delighted to welcome Meg Lanning on board as an assistant coach for the series. It is an incredible opportunity for our best emerging cricketers to spend a week learning and absorbing knowledge from one of Australia’s most decorated cricketers.

“The education sessions, run by CA High Performance staff, are designed to help develop the next generation of cricketers as individuals off the field while familiarising them with the expectations and processes required to succeed at the highest level.”

Fixture 
April 25: First T20 match | Northern Suburbs Cricket Club, Shaw Road, Brisbane
April 26: Second T20 match | Northern Suburbs Cricket Club, Shaw Road, Brisbane
April 27: Third T20 match | Northern Suburbs Cricket Club, Shaw Road, Brisbane