WA trio Chloe Ainsworth, Ines McKeon and Tegan Williamson primed for Women’s under-19s World Cup opportunity

Western Australia’s best emerging cricketer has been handed a second chance at starring in a Women’s under-19s World Cup, two years after her first campaign was cruelled by injury. Perth Scorchers new-ball weapon Chloe Ainsworth has been picked in Australia’s team for the tournament, to be played in Malaysia in January, alongside Melbourne Stars power-hitter Ines McKeon and 16-year-old leg-spinner Tegan Williamson. Ainsworth was the hottest young player in the WBBL this season, starring for the Scorchers again, and spent time with the Australian women’s team in their Perth mini-camp before Wednesday’s one-day international. Fellow WBBL young guns Caoimhe Bray and Lucy Hamilton have also been named in the 15-player squad. Ainsworth was replaced in Australia’s squad just one game into the most recent edition of the tournament - in South Africa in January last year - after suffering a broken thumb. “I was really excited. Obviously I got the chance to go last World Cup, but being able to go back again and try and have another crack at winning it will be awesome,” she told The West Australian. “I wasn’t there for very long, but it was awesome just to get the experience of going to another country and playing cricket against the best players in the world. “Hopefully I can get through the whole one this year. I am just excited to get over there and play for Australia.” McKeon made a name for herself this summer when she blasted national team leg-spinner Alana King for a massive six and made a half-century against the Scorchers on her debut at the WACA Ground. Williamson is the lesser-known member of the trio. The Wanneroo leg-spinning all-rounder starred in last week’s under-19 national championships as a bottom-ager to shoot into the side. She is the second-youngest player picked. “Just to play some cricket on the sub-continent, different conditions and a different group of girls will be fun,” Williamson said. “I would like to be as good as Alana King. I have always looked up to her.” Australia plays three matches in the group stage of the tournament, against Bangladesh, Scotland and Nepal, from January 18.