Australian Women’s Indigenous team to face Pacific rivals in quadrangular series

Callan Morse Published June 13, 2025 at 4.15pm (AWST)

Sport

Queensland's Christina Coulson has been selected to lead the Australian Women's Indigenous team in next week's PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. (Image: Albert Perez/Cricket Australia)

Some of the country's best First Nations cricketers are set to face international opponents following the Australian Women's Indigenous team's inclusion in the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational.

The quadrangular T20 tournament will see Australia face Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa in Port Moresby next week as part of celebrations of PNG's 50th anniversary of independence.

Australia's side features a raft of talented players proven at National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) level.

They include current contracted players Ella Hayward (Victoria), Mikayla Hinkley (WA/Perth Scorchers), Anika Learoyd (NSW/Sydney Thunder) and Emma Manix-Geeves (Tasmania/Hobart Hurricanes), as well as proven NICC state representatives in Callee Black (NSW), Dharmini Chauhan (Queensland) and Veronica Keen (WA).

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said the tournament provides an exciting platform for competition while strengthening the sporting ties between Australia and the Pacific region.

"Facing teams from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Samoa, this tournament will showcase high-performance cricket while continuing to strengthen shared cultural connections," Greenberg said.

"The Australian Women's Indigenous squad brings together skill, determination, and a proud legacy of Indigenous cricket, and we look forward to seeing them perform at their best in PNG."

The 14-player side will be captained by Queensland allrounder Christina Coulson, with Hayward and Hinkley appointed joint vice-captains.

Current Western Australia women's NICC coach Alex Stewart will coach the side, with former Australian international and current NSW Breaker Hannah Darlington his assistant.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Ewen McDonald, said the Commission is pleased to be working with Cricket Australia and Cricket Papua New Guinea to deliver the inaugural tournament.

"Pacific nations share a passion for sport. It's great to see Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Australia competing in this exciting new fixture. It is testament to the close and enduring cultural connections we share across the Blue Pacific," Mr McDonald said.

"We are delighted Papua New Guinea will host the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational here in Port Moresby, as Papua New Guinea prepares to mark its 50th anniversary of independence this year.

"This tournament is a fantastic example of breaking down barriers, promoting women in sport, and cultivating elite level pathways for women and girls in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries."

The tournament is supported through the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.

Australian Indigenous Women's Squad

Christina Coulson (c) – Kaurareg (QLD)

Grace Abdy - Waanyi & Ganggalida (QLD)

Callee Black – Wiradjuri (NSW)

Dharmini Chauhan – Wiradjuri (QLD)

Ella Hayward – Jawoyn (VIC)

Mikayla Hinkley – Kunja (WA)

Veronica Keen – Badimaya (WA)

Anika Learoyd – Gumbaynggirr (NSW)

Emma Manix-Geeves – Palawa (TAS)

Tahlia Meier - Wamba Wamba (VIC)

Clodagh Ryall – Kaurareg (QLD)