Wedlock, Ryan and Thulborn to debut for Australia
16 players have been selected to represent Australia against England with three Jackaroos set to make their international debuts Bowls Australia’s National Selection Panel have today confirmed the entire Australian Jackaroos Squad will reignite the fierce sporting rivalry with England when they do battle in a three day event at the Broadbeach Bowls Club from April 26-28.
Ellen Ryan, 20, Scott Thulborn, 33, and Corey Wedlock, 20, will don the green and gold in their international debuts when Australia take on the England touring party in one of many international series’ leading up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
For Cabramatta’s Corey Wedlock, it was just three months ago when the New South Wales youngster was afforded a maiden berth in the Australian Jackaroos Squad and will now gear up alongside the world’s best.
Despite his tender age, Wedlock has proven himself more than capable on the national and international circuit, having claimed back-to-back Hong Kong International Pairs titles the past two years, securing New Zealand’s coveted Burnside Invitation pairs trophy in January and most recently claiming silver in the men’s singles at the World Youth Championships at Broadbeach.
Remarkably, Wedlock will debut for Australia before representing New South Wales in any test event or Australian Sides Championship.
It was only a matter of time before South Australian superstar Scott Thulborn received his cap number with a resume which continues to grow; most recently claiming his third consecutive Adelaide Master Singles title over the Easter weekend.
The 2016 World Champion of Champion Singles winner has continued to press for international selection and will get his chance when he becomes the 143rd man to represent Australia at the end of the month.
Likewise, Cabramatta’s Ellen Ryan has been in the mix for an international debut for the past two years having achieved all there is to achieve at a ‘restricted’ international level, including Commonwealth Youth Games gold and silver medals, World Youth Championships gold and silver and a World Under-25 Indoor Singles title; the 20 year old has earned her chance to shine for Australia at a senior level and will become Australia’s 84th female representative.
National Coach Steve Glasson OAM offers his sincere congratulations to the three debutants who he says are thoroughly deserving of the honour to represent their nation.
“Corey, Scott and Ellen have all represented Australia in uncapped international events over the past few years with distinction and are deserving of an Australian cap, said Glasson.
“This test series against England will be hard fought with both indoor and outdoor international stars among those selected for the powerhouse nation; I expect them to adapt to the conditions very well and make the most of their one and only chance to discover the Broadbeach greens ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“With less than a year to go until the benchmark event, every international series from here on is extremely important for the Australian contingent and a great opportunity for all players to put their best foot forward ahead of the Australian Commonwealth Games team announcement at the end of the year.”
Nine of Australia’s 2016 World Championships contingent will line-up for Australia in this series including dual World Champions Carla Krizanic, Natasha Scott and Rebecca Van Asch.
Kristina Krstic, Lynsey Clarke, Ray Pearse and Wayne Ruediger will return for Australia in the first international since they missed selection for the World Championships in New Zealand.
On top of three days of tests, the two countries will also go head to head in four BPL style matches to be filmed for SBS’s The Bowls Show.
12 of Australia’s 16 players will contest the televised matches being filmed on Wednesday April 27.
The Australia verse England series is free for spectators, so don’t miss a chance to watch two of the world’s best bowling nations going head-to-head in this much anticipated series.
Caption- Three Australians to debut against England at the end of the month
Australian Teams-
Women:
Lynsey Clarke (33, Club Helensvale, QLD), Kelsey Cottrell (26, St Johns Park, NSW), Carla Krizanic (26, Sunbury, VIC), Kristina Krstic (22, Manning Memorial, WA), Karen Murphy (42, Cabramatta, NSW), Ellen Ryan (20, Cabramatta, NSW), Natasha Scott (26, Raymond Terrace, NSW), Rebecca Van Asch (28, Invermay, TAS)
Men:
Barrie Lester (35, Mulgrave Country Club, VIC), Ray Pearse (32, Cabramatta, NSW), Aron Sherriff (31, Ettalong Memorial, NSW), Wayne Ruediger (40, Grange, SA), Scott Thulborn (33, Adelaide, SA), Corey Wedlock (20, Cabramatta, NSW), Brett Wilkie (42, Club Helensvale, QLD), Aaron Wilson (25, Clayton, VIC)
England Teams-
Women:
Natalie Chestney (Devon); Ellen Falkner (Cambridgeshire); Rebecca Field (Norfolk); Sian Honnor (Kent); Wendy King (Kent); Katherine Rednall (Suffolk); Sophie Tolchard (Devon)
Men:
David Bolt (Durham); Jamie Chestney (Devon); Andy Knapper (Berkshire); Robert Paxton (Devon); Louis Ridout (Devon); Sam Tolchard (Devon); Jamie Walker (Northamptonshire)
