It took Megan Schutt just two deliveries to issue a message in the opening ODI against India: ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily’.
Schutt went from being on the outer of Australia’s ODI squad to claiming a wicket with the second ball of her return at Allan Border Field on Tuesday, showing no signs of rust after warming the bench through the three T20Is.
The hooping in-swinger that trapped India opener Pratika Rawal lbw was a timely remainder of what the veteran pace bowler can do in the Powerplay, with Schutt’s early spell setting the tone for a dominant day for Australia’s bowlers.
“I’ve been joking with them all the time that they can’t get rid of me that easily,” Schutt told reporters at Hobart airport on Wednesday.
“It’s nice to be back in the squad and back in the team as well.
“Making an impact with the new ball is what I was brought in to do … it’s nice to be able to do that and just feel good behind the ball again.
“That’s your job as an opening bowler, we’re all looking for wickets early. In the Powerplay, it’s a risk- reward situation with only two out, and I was lucky enough to get the ball moving and got the wicket early.”
Schutt’s eventual figures of 2-42 from nine overs saw her leapfrog Lisa Sthalekar to become Australia third-highest wicket taker in women’s ODIs, behind Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) and Ellyse Perry (166).
Schutt had originally been omitted from Australia’s one-day squad to play India, and while she remained in the mix for the shortest format, fellow quicks Kim Garth and Darcie Brown were picked ahead of the South Australian across the three T20Is.
When the squads for the multi-format series were revealed in January national selector Shawn Flegler had stressed that it didn’t mean the end of the 33-year-old’s ODI career, rather, it was a decision made with home conditions in mind and to give express quick Brown greater opportunity in the format.
However, a quad injury to Garth, which has ruled her out of the three ODIs, opened the door for Schutt’s recall.
Schutt said she had also had discussions with selectors around missing out in the XI throughout the T20I leg of the multi-format series.
“Extra pace (in Brown) was the main (reason) against the Indian side,” she said.
“And I understand – it’s disappointing sitting on the sidelines – but again, it’s part of the job that you do, being on the sidelines, and you’ve still got to really support your team and run the drinks well and try not to be too sour about it.
“Obviously, I had my moments with the coaching staff when I was told.
“But apart from that you crack on, it’s part of the job and you’ve just got to take the chance when it comes.”
The Australian squad landed in Hobart on Wednesday and will train at Bellerive Oval on Thursday afternoon ahead of the second ODI, where Australia will be out to build momentum with the multi-format series tied at four points apiece.
With two one-dayers to be played in the Tasmanian capital in the space of three days, selectors may also contemplate handing a debut to 19-year-old left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton, who was called into the ODI squad alongside Schutt.
Hamilton was originally only in the mix for the sole Test at the WACA Ground, but Schutt backed the Queenslander to be ready if called upon this week.
“She’s a good kid, she’s just got her head screwed on,” she said.
“I think when I was that age, I definitely did not, and that’s probably the difference of the next generation coming through, is they’ve got the work ethic, they’ve got the talent, but they’ve got the perspective too, which is really nice.
“The x-factor of the left-armer coming into the squad is really awesome, and she swings the ball the same way as me, so that’s always nice.
“I don’t doubt (that she’s ready) at all. I think that’s the beauty of the kids coming in now, the transition in seems so smooth and effortless.
“It’s just really exciting to see the next generation of players come through, and I don’t doubt that she’d be good at the job at hand.”
NRMA Insurance Australia v India Multi-Format Series
The multi-format series is tied 4-4
First T20I: India won by 21 runs (DLS)
Second T20I: Australia won by 19 runs
Third T20I: India won by 17 runs
Australia ODI squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
India ODI squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal
February 24: Australia won by six wickets
February 27: Second ODI, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2:50pm AEDT
March 1: Third ODI, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2:50pm AEDT
Australia Test squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
India Test squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare
March 6-9: Test match, WACA Ground, 4:20pm AEDT (D/N)
