The Meg Lanning-led Australia women’s cricket team will be without the services of two of their key players – the pacer Megan Schutt and the spin all-rounder Jess Jonassen in the all-format series against India in September. Georgia Redmayne and Stella Campbell have received their maiden call-ups for Australia.
The spearhead of Australia’s bowling attack, Schutt requested the board to not consider her for selection due to personal reasons, and so did Tasmania seamer Belinda Vakarewa. The national selector Shawn Flegler stated that the management is fully supportive of the players.
“We’re fully supportive of the requests from Belinda and Megan to not be considered for selection and will continue to work with them to ensure they have the appropriate support.
As leader of the bowling attack, Megan’s absence will provide the opportunity for someone else to play the type of role she has so well over a lengthy period,”
Flegler said.
All-rounder Jess Jonassen, who’s currently ranked no. 1 in the ODI bowlers’ rankings, suffered a stress injury in her tibia, forcing her out of the series. The likes of Georgia Wareham, Molly Strano and Sophie Molineux will have to take the spin bowling responsibility in the absence of Jonassen.
“Jess is another big loss and will be disappointed to miss out, but she’s another one that’s worked hard over the winter and with a long summer ahead, her focus will be to get herself right with a lot of cricket left in the season.”
Flegler added.
Georgia Redmayne has been rewarded with her first call-up for her blockbuster WNCL season for Queensland, amassing 531 runs at an average of 133, including two centuries. Redmayne followed it up with a terrific WBBL season, where she was the leading run-scorer for Brisbane Heat with 357 runs at an average of 32.
The New South Wales and Sydney Sixers pacer Stella Campbell, who had an impressive WBBL season with 10 scalps, also received her maiden call-up. The 24-yr old Maitlan Brown has returned back after a hamstring injury, and so did all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who is expected to play a big role for Australia this summer.
Australia and India Women are scheduled to face off against each other in a one-off day-night Test, three ODIs and as many T20Is, in an all-format series starting September 19. The Indian women’s team is expected to fly off to Australia by the end of August, followed by a two-week quarantine.
“We will miss Schutt but we have some good options”: Lanning
The Australian women’s cricket team has developed an immense depth in fast bowling in recent years and the skipper Meg Lanning is confident that the other pacers will step up in the absence of Schutt.
“There’s no doubt that Megan not being there does leave a bit of a hole. She’s such a consistent player and we’ll certainly miss her, but we have a number of fast bowling options and we have been working on building that depth for a while now.”
Lanning believes that their pace battery is capable of making a huge difference. Tyla Vlaeminck, Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown all have shown immense promise. The inclusion of Campbell has only strengthened the attack. All-rounders Ellyse Perry, who has a stellar record, and Annabel Sutherland are also two quality options in the Aussie line-up.
“Bringing Stella into the mix is really exciting, she brings some genuine pace and bounce, and we have Darcie Brown. Put that with Tayla, Ellyse and Annabel Sutherland and we feel like we have some really good options.”
