It sends a really strong message, says Meg Lanning on the inclusion of women's T20 cricket at the Commonwealth Games

Women's cricket will make its debut at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which begins later this month. Cricket Australia on Friday (July 1) named a full-strength squad for the event, which Meg Lanning will lead. Australia will face Barbados, India and Pakistan in Group A.

Speaking to Sydney Herald, Lanning said she hopes her team can return home with a gold medal.

"I've watched a lot of Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games growing up, and seeing Australians on that medal podium with a gold medal around their neck is always something really special. So we are absolutely going there to try and do that," the Australian skipper said.

"It sends a really strong message … it gives young girls out there the confidence to go out there and, if they want to be involved in something, they can taste that," Lanning added.

Australia have named a 15-member squad for the event. Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham will not be travelling to England due to injury. Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry is recovering from a stress fracture in her lower back and is expected to play as a specialist batter.

The Commonwealth Games will be held from July 27 to August 8 and will see 4,500 athletes taking part in various sports. The last time that cricket was part of the Commonwealth Games was in 1998 when a List-A men's tournament was organized. 

This time, eight teams will be in action – Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Barbados. All the cricket games will be played at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Australia Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington