Frances Mackay, who returned to international cricket in February earlier, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Australia series with the right calf tear. Lauren Down has been added to the New Zealand Women’s squad.
It was back in June 2011 that Frances Mackay made her international debut. Both her ODI and T20I debuts which were separated by two weeks, came against Australia. She blew hot and cold with the bat, but she was pretty good with the ball and delivered consistently.
The Canterbury off-spinning all-rounder was dropped after the 2014 Women’s T20 World Cup. She had fared decently in that showpiece event as she scored 77 runs in three innings and took three wickets at an economy rate of 6.58.
She was highly consistent in domestic cricket. She piled on the runs and also was very effective with the ball. Hence, after a host of consistent domestic cricket performances, she was rewarded with a spot in the New Zealand Women’s ODI squad against England Women after seven years.
After she was dropped in 2014, Mackay’s only international game was against India in February 2019. Apart from that, she was barely even around the scheme of things for the White Ferns.
Mackay played a couple of ODIs against England but couldn’t make an impact. She bowled well in the first T20I against Australia Women before she produced a fabulous all-round performance to help New Zealand beat Australia and level the series.
Mackay first picked up 2/20 from her four overs with the ball. Chasing 131, she opened the batting in the absence of Sophie Devine and scored a fine 46 to lay the platform for the win. However, a tear in her calf has cut short her return to international cricket. She battled with a calf injury when she was batting in the second T20I as well. She has been ruled out of the remainder of the series against Australia. Lauren Down has been called in as her replacement.
Frankie was outstanding with bat and ball in Napier and showed plenty of grit playing with an injury. We wish her all the best in her recovery and thank her for what she’s added to the group. It’s great to welcome someone of Lauren’s experience back into the group and we have full confidence she can perform any role we require,
New Zealand Women’s head coach Bob Carter said.
