World Cup selection a dream come true for Mooney

WORLD Cup selection was Beth Mooney's primary goal during the 2016-17 summer.

The batter-keeper was named in Australia's 15-strong Women's World Cup squad, which will be captained by Meg Lanning.

Sarah Aley and Belinda Vakarewa are set to make their international debuts at the World Cup, which will be held in England from June 26.

The final will be played at Lord's on July 23.

For Mooney, who was born in Shepparton but grew up in Hervey Bay, it's a dream come true.

"It's a bit more surreal as we're getting closer to D-day," Mooney said.

"I think it was after I made my debut at the start of last year and I thought I wanted to be a consistent player in the side. It wasn't until then I saw it as a potential reality."

Mooney has scored 334 runs in her nine One Day Internationals for Australia.

An average of 41.75, Mooney became the first Queenslander to score a century when she smashed New Zealand's attack to all corners of Auckland's Eden Park on February 26.

A Brisbane Heat opener, Mooney was named the Women's Big Bash League and the Heat's Most Valuable Player after she scored 482 runs at 43.81.

Her WBBL campaign included five half-centuries.

Mooney and her World Cup teammates will enjoy the rest of this week off before a two-week camp split between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," she said.

"There's a bit of work between now and then but it makes it much easier when you do it with people you enjoy."

Squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington