Villani looking forward to Bushfire Bash

Elyse Villani, a veteran of 99 international matches for Australia, was unlucky to miss out on the T20 World Cup squad picked by Australia's selectors. The hard-hitting batter though has a chance to show her skills in the upcoming charity match for the Ponting XI V Warne XI. Villani is part of a star-studded group of players who have signed for the match to be played at the SCG ahead of the Big Bash final.

Villani was disappointed at not making it to the national side but is chuffed to play the Bushfire Bash. She is looking forward to playing alongside some of the greats of the game like Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Yuvraj Singh, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee and Wasim Akram, who are part of the squad.

"I’m feeling pretty chuffed to be asked to be honest, reading through the names of all the legends of the game who are involved," Villani told cricket.com.au.

"I’m looking at it as an enormous opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best and to play a small part in putting some smiles on people’s faces and helping to raise some much-needed funds. It’s incredible to see this happen and I’m really proud of cricket for thinking of an initiative to bring people together and raise some funds."

Villani has no favourites as which of the teams she wants to play but is wary of facing the likes of Warne, Lee and Akram.

"There’s a list of bowlers I don’t want to face, to be honest," she laughed. "I am happy to face Grace Harris because I've faced her a bit but apart from that, I'm not sure there's too many I do want to face, I'm a bit nervous."

Villani was dropped from the side after the Ashes due to her inconsistency. She also didn't have a favourable time in the Women's Big Bash League 2019, scoring just over 200 with an average of 24.57. She was, understandably, dejected with that.

"I thought I was an outside chance if they were to pick a back-up batter and then hopefully work my way back in that way, but the selectors have gone down the route of allrounders and that’s not something I can offer at the moment," said Villani.

"Anyone that has missed out on selection knows it sucks, but it’s nice to be playing in this Bushfire Cricket Bash. I try not to be too consumed by it, but it is always disappointing when you miss out."

The right-hander's focus now shifts to Big Appeal and it's success in ensuring raising the funds. She is also playing for Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League is keen on putting a good performance for her state as they have lost six players due to international commitments.



"I still have a burning desire to play cricket for Australia and I caught up with (coach) Matthew Mott and spoke to (national selector) Shawn Flegler and I understand where I sit at the moment, I’m not really at the forefront of selectors’ minds."