lucy hamilton will make her Test debut for Australia in the day-night clash with India at the WACA Ground as Alyssa Healy prepares for her final international appearance. The 19-year-old left-arm quick from Bundaberg has been presented her baggy green by Beth Mooney and is one of two recognised pace options in Australia’s chosen XI. The selection hands Hamilton a landmark opportunity on a pitch showing a green tinge that could favour seamers early.
Lucy Hamilton: selection, role and immediate build-up
Hamilton enters the XI as one of only two frontline fast-bowlers named for Australia alongside Darcie Brown, and she is likely to share new-ball duties in the pink-ball Test. Beth Mooney presented Hamilton with her baggy green ahead of the match and remains preferred behind the stumps while Alyssa Healy will take her place in the middle order. Ellyse Perry has recovered from a quad injury and will play as a specialist batter at No. 3, while all-rounders Annabel Sutherland and Tahlia McGrath provide additional seam support.
The selected bowling attack also includes Western Australia leg-spinner Alana King and orthodox spinner Ash Gardner, with Brown’s recent seven-wicket haul at the venue in 2024 underlining the threat pace and bounce can pose on this wicket. Healy won the toss and elected to bowl, setting an immediate seam-friendly tone to the contest.
Immediate reactions: players and captain respond
“I thought she was unreal, ” said Beth Mooney, Australia wicketkeeper, of Hamilton’s recent performances and her potential at the WACA. Mooney added that Hamilton had troubled batters with pace and movement in recent outings and that the WACA’s pace and bounce should suit her style.
Lucy Hamilton, 19-year-old left-arm seamer for Australia, described the call-up as sudden. “It was a bit out of the blue, ” Hamilton said, reflecting on the path that led from ODI debut to a Test opportunity. The call followed an injury to Kim Garth that opened a spot in the Test group, altering Hamilton’s role from reserve to a likely starter.
Quick context: a meteoric rise from Bundaberg
Hamilton has already captained the Australia Under-19s, played in the Women’s Premier League and made her ODI debut; she also produced a record-equalling 5-8 for Brisbane Heat in 2024. Her progression through state and franchise cricket has been rapid, culminating in national honours and now a potential Baggy Green on the WACA turf.
What’s next: an early Test chance and the series picture
The match presents an immediate test of Hamilton’s readiness in red-ball cricket: if she opens the bowling with Darcie Brown, the pair will be tasked with exploiting early movement on a green-tinged track. Australia hold an 8-4 lead in the multi-format series and can seal the series with either a win or a draw, putting extra significance on this Test as Alyssa Healy makes her final international appearance. All eyes will be on how lucy hamilton adapts to Test intensity and whether her selection accelerates a broader transition in the national pace stocks.
