Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel has named Victorian Nicole Faltum to captain the Governor-General's XI against New Zealand's White Ferns in a T20 match at North Sydney Oval on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Faltum, who plays for the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL and is from Traralgon, will lead the side for a second time after captaining the team against England in January 2025. Queensland's Charli Knott, last year's captain, has been named vice-captain.
The match, which starts at 7.05pm, will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. The White Ferns are former ICC Women's T20 World Cup champions.
The 13-player squad mixes international experience with first-time selections. Lucy Hamilton (Brisbane Heat) and Tayla Vlaeminck (Melbourne Renegades) bring international experience to the side, while Filippa SueSee, Hasrat Gill, Caoimhe Bray and Frankie Nicklin have been picked for the Governor-General's XI for the first time.
The squad also includes Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad, a wicketkeeper-batter and Artillery Officer in the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, who will represent the Australian Defence Force in the fixture.
Cricket Australia's Head of Performance for women's cricket and national selector Shawn Flegler announced the squad. He said the fixture gave emerging players a rare chance to test themselves against a top international side.
"For these players, matches against an international side are an invaluable chance to challenge themselves at a higher level and gain experience in an environment that replicates the demands of international cricket," Flegler said.
Flegler said the squad blended youth with experience.
"There's a really exciting mix of youth and experience in the squad, with players who have performed strongly at domestic level getting the opportunity to test themselves against one of the world's leading teams," he said.
He thanked the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, for her support of the fixture, which Cricket Australia organises jointly with the Governor-General's office.
"We're grateful for the Governor-General's support of the fixture and are looking forward to celebrating what should be a memorable day for everyone involved," Flegler said.
Mostyn said she was pleased Faltum had agreed to lead the side again.
"I'm excited by the team we've been able to put together and delighted that Nicole Faltum has again agreed to lead the side," she said.
Mostyn, who holds the role of Commander in Chief, welcomed the selection of Hyderabad to represent the Australian Defence Force.
"As Commander in Chief, it is wonderful to see the choice of Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad to represent the ADF as part of the continuing tradition of this game," she said.
She also praised the squad's blend of experience and emerging talent.
"To have players of international calibre in Lucy Hamilton and Tayla Vlaeminck complement an exciting group of up-and-coming all round stars positions this team for success on the pitch," Mostyn said.
She congratulated the four players selected for the first time.
"I'd also like to congratulate Filippa, Hasrat, Caoimhe and Frankie on their first Governor-General's XI selection. This is a special game and I am excited to see our team take on a world-class New Zealand side," she said.
Faltum was part of the Melbourne Renegades' title-winning WBBL|11 campaign and also plays for Victoria in the WNCL.
The full squad is Chloe Ainsworth, Caoimhe Bray, Nicole Faltum (captain), Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Lucy Hamilton, Charli Knott (vice-captain), Anika Learoyd, Frankie Nicklin, Filippa SueSee, Rachel Trenaman, Tayla Vlaeminck and Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad.
The Governor-General's XI will take the field against the White Ferns at North Sydney Oval on October 15.