Fields has been a members of Australia's squad since 2006

Jodie Fields has been named as Australia's captain for this summer's Women's Ashes series in England.

The 24-year-old wicketkeeper will succeed Karen Rolton, who is giving up the job after next month's ICC World Twenty20 tournament, also in England.

Rolton will, however, remain part of the squad as they look to win back the trophy they lost in 2005.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland described her as "a legend of women's cricket".

He added: "With the Ashes series following closely after the ICC World Twenty20, the team and its new leaders will greatly benefit from Karen's commitment to ensure a smooth transition in leadership."

Rolton, 34, has scored almost 6,000 runs for the Southern Stars in all forms of the game and hit 10 centuries, including one in the 2005 World Cup final against India.

But she was unable to inspire her team to victory when they hosted the World Cup earlier this year, with England lifting the trophy after beating New Zealand in the final.

She hopes to make up for that by lifting the World Twenty20 trophy at Lord's on 21 June before handing over to Fields, who will have batter Alex Blackwell as her deputy.

"I think it's going to be good for the team. I obviously can't play forever, but I'll keep playing and try to help out Jodie and others in the team where ever I can," Rolton commented.

England and Australia will play a Twenty20 international and five 50-over matches before the Women's Ashes Test begins at Worcester on 10 July.

Australia squad for ICC World Twenty20: K Rolton (capt), S Andrews, A Blackwell, J Cameron, L Ebsary, R Farrell, J Fields, S Nitschke, E Osborne, E Perry, K Pike, L Poulton, L Sthalekar, E Villani*.

*R Haynes replaces Villani for series against England

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