Pearson took gold at London 2012 and is the defending Commonwealth Games champion following her success at Delhi 2010, while she also won World Championship gold in Daegu in 2011.

At last year's World Championships in Moscow, the 27-year-old took silver and she is joined by fellow silver medallist and javelin thrower Kim Mickle, who will act as vice-captain of the squad announced by Athletics Australia in Glasgow.

Discus thrower Dani Samuels, winner of a World Championship gold in Berlin in 2009, will also head to Glasgow looking to improve on her bronze medal from Melbourne 2006 in a squad containing a mixture of youth and experience.

The initial announcement followed the conclusion of the Australian National Championships, which took place in Melbourne last week and acted as a qualifying event for Glasgow 2014, where athletics events will take place at Hampden Park. 

Youngsters Eleanor Paterson, Damian Birkinhead and Morgan Mitchell, who secured her place on the team by winning the 400m national crown, will be making their international debuts in Glasgow after impressing in Melbourne.

"It is great to see nominations which range from established stars like Sally Pearson, Kim Mickle and Dani Samuels to rising stars like Eleanor Patterson, Damien Birkinhead and Morgan Mitchell," said Team Australia Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti.

From left to right: Jeff Riseley, Damien Birkinhead, Morgan Mitchell and Dani Samuels will all be chasing Commonwealth gold in Glasgow later this year ©Getty Images



A second group of athletes is due to be announced in June.

"This typifies what the Commonwealth Games are all about," said Moneghetti.

"Nineteen of the 45 athletes announced for the Commonwealth Games today will take part in their first major international Championships and we are sure it will be an experience they will never forget.

"With a further significant number of nominations to come in June, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association is really pleased that athletics has recommended such a large team."

The final nominations to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association by Athletics Australia are due to be made following the close of the qualification period on June 1.

Middle-distance runner Jeff Riseley made the team for the 1500m and is also a discretionary selection for the 800m and is one of 11 discretionary selections made by Athletics Australia for the initial squad.

"The initial selection of 45 athletes is a great start to what is shaping into one of the biggest teams we will ever send overseas," said chairman of selectors at Athletics Australia Dion Russell.

"In addition to the contingent of athletes announced today, there are more than 70 athletes who have achieved at least one Commonwealth Games B-standard and will be considered for selection at the close of the qualification period on June 1.

"This is a very positive result for our sport and the selectors and I look forward to adding new names to the list of athletics nominees in the coming months."

Kurt Fearnley will be aiming for a second Commonwealth Games title this year ©Getty Images



The team will be led by Ausutralia's British-born head coach Eric Hollingsworth.

He will be looking to at least match Australia's haul of 11 gold, six silver and three bronze medals in track and field events at Delhi 2010.

Three-time Paralympic champion and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Kurt Fearnley is one of nine athletes initially selected to take part in the Para-sport events in Glasgow and is joined by Sean Roberts, Richard Colman, Paul Raison, Madison de Rozario, Christie Dawes, Angela Ballard, Jodi Elkington and Rae Anderson.

The full squad list is as follows:

Men:
T37 100m: Sean Roberts
800m: Josh Ralph, Jeff Riseley
1,500m: Jeff Riseley
T54 1,500m: Richard Colman, Kurt Fearnley
10,000m: Collis Birmingham
Marathon: Martin Dent
110m hurdles: Nicholas Hough
400m hurdles: Ian Dewhurst
Pole vault: Joel Pocklington
Long jump: Robbie Crowther, Henry Frayne
Shot put: Damien Birkinhead
Discus throw: Benn Harradine
F42/44 discus throw: Paul Raison
Hammer throw: Tim Driesen
Javelin: Josh Robinson
Decathlon: Jake Stein

Women:
100m: Sally Pearson, Melissa Breen
200m: Ella Nelson
400m: Morgan Mitchell
800m: Brittany McGowan
1,500m: Zoe Buckman
T54 1,500m: Madison de Rozario, Christie Dawes, Angela Ballard
5,000m: Emily Brichacek
10,000m: Nikki Chapple
Marathon: Jess Trengove
3,000m steeplechase: Victoria Mitchell
100m hurdles: Sally Pearson
400m hurdles: Lauren Wells
High jump: Eleanor Patterson
Pole vault: Liz Parnov, Alana Boyd
Long jump: Brooke Stratton
T37/38 long jump: Jodi Elkington, Rae Anderson
Triple jump: Linda Leverton
Discus throw: Dani Samuels
Hammer throw: Lara Neilsen
Javelin: Kim Mickle, Kathryn Mitchell, Kelsey-Lee Roberts
Heptathlon: Sophie Stanwell

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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