The 18-strong squad of Jackaroos are ready to be #BoldInGold at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A stacked Lawn Bowls team will take to the greens of Royal Leamington Spa next week ahead of yet another tantalising Commonwealth Games programme.
Gold Coast 2018 men’s singles gold medallist Aaron Wilson will return in a bid to defend his title and will notch up his 200th international appearance for the Jackaroos in the early stages of the tournament.
Three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Barrie Lester joins Wilson in the team as he enters his first event on foreign soil, following his two previous experiences on home soil in 2006 and 2018.
Joining Wilson and Lester are debutants Corey Wedlock, Carl Healey and Ben Twist, who will play his 100th international match throughout the Games.
Wedlock will play in pairs and fours, while Healey and Twist will join Lester in triples and fours.
The women’s open team boasts three gold medallists, with Melbourne 2006 champion Lynsey Clarke lining up for her fourth Commonwealth Games, bringing over 400 matches of experience to the squad.
Gold Coast 2018 triples and fours champions Natasha Van Eldik and Rebecca Van Asch will return to defend their title, with Van Eldik also taking part in her fourth Games and Van Asch her second.
Both will be looking to become the most successful Australian bowlers at the Commonwealth Games, as they are currently tied with Carla Krizanic with two gold medals each.
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Best friends Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic will make their Games debut together, with the duo teaming up in pairs at Victoria Park.
Ryan will take the singles place, while Krstic will join Clarke, Van Asch and Van Eldik in the fours squad.
Gold Coast 2018 gold medallist Jake Fehlberg will return to defend his vision-impaired title with debutant Helen Boardman as his teammate.
Matthew Northcott will be Fehlberg’s on green director, while Peter Doherty will be Boardman’s.
Damien Delgado and Chris Flavel will front up in the man’s para pairs in their first Games, while fellow debutants Cheryl Lindfield and Serena Bonnell will take their places in the women’s para pairs event.
Australia has never won a gold medal in the Northern Hemisphere, and Birmingham 2022 is the finest chance the nation has had.