Australia have made a bombshell call to leave Megan Schutt out of the Ashes Test, with the hosts sent in to bat by England at Manuka Oval in Canberra this morning.
One of the world’s best pace bowlers, Schutt was only listed as a reserve on Australia’s team sheet with Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland selected ahead of her.
Schutt did not play in Australia’s last Test against India after the birth of her child, but the world’s No.3 ranked ODI bowler was expected to return in the Canberra Test.
It’s understood Schutt’s conditioning on return from COVID-19 was a concern for the four-day match, with her workload also being managed ahead of a one-day World Cup.
Still, the decision to leave Schutt out while declared fit to play comes after selectors made a similarly big call in the T20 component of the series, dropping fellow star Ellyse Perry.
Perry returns for the Test, with the allrounder likely taking on a bigger role in Schutt’s absence.
Alana King is making her debut, handed Baggy Green cap No.181 by fellow legspinner Kristen Beams before play at Manuka Oval.
Opener Rachael Haynes returns from injury to Australia’s team from the XI that drew their Test with India last month.
Beth Mooney will slot in at No.3 on return from a broken jaw that ruled her out of the Ashes T20s, while Jess Jonassen comes in after missing the India Test.
The injured pair of Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux are among those missing who played in the India Test, while young quick Stella Campbell has also been overlooked.
“Kingy started well in the T20s, looked really comfortable. We’re excited to see what she can do in this format,” Australia captain Meg Lanning said.
“We’ve gone with three spinners and four quicks, so we’ll see how we go.”
England have offspinner Charlei Dean playing her first Test.
Australia have a 4-2 lead in the multi-format series, and can retain the urn for a fourth straight time with a win in Canberra.
England desperately need to win, with even a draw leaving the series firmly in the favour of the hosts.
“If we’re going to get anything out of the deck we think it will be early, giving us the best chance of winning the match,” England captain Heather Knight said.
AUSTRALIA: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jessica Jonassen, Alana King, Darcie Brown.
ENGLAND: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Katherine Brunt, Charlie Dean, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross.
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