Alex Blackwell to Lead GGXI in New Zealand Clash

Melbourne [Australia], Feb 7 (ANI): Former Australia skipper Alex Blackwell has been named to lead Governor-General’s XI to take on New Zealand’s White Ferns in the 50-over game at the Drummoyne Oval on February 28.In its fourth year now, the match will be played between the second and third ODI of the Rose Bowl series between Australia and White Ferns, Cricket Australia reported on Thursday.The Governor-General’s XI, which is inspired by the Prime Minister’s XI game, pits young players as well as some established players against a touring team annually.The players will be selected by Cricket Australia in consultation with the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and will be announced in the lead up to the match.Australia and White Ferns will meet in the three ODIs, with matches to be played at the WACA Ground on February 22, Karen Rolton Oval on February 24 and Junction Oval on March 3.Australia, who were last defeated by the White Ferns in a one-day series in 1997, reclaimed the Rose Bowl trophy in 2000 and have been holding it ever since.The series will be Australia’s last game on home soil for the summer as the team will leave for the multi-format Ashes series in the United Kingdom in July.Having represented her country 251 times across all three formats, Blackwell retired from the international cricket last year."I’ve had the tremendous honour to captain @SouthernStars, @NSWBreakers and @ThunderWBBL. I’m thrilled to be invited to become a skipper of the GGXI. We take on @WHITE_FERNS 28th Feb Drummoyne Oval day-night 50over Game #GGXI," Blackwell tweeted.The 35-year-old led the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash league (WBBL) to the semi-final, which ended in heartbreak. Blackwell is yet to confirm whether she will continue her WBBL career in 2019-20. (ANI)

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