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Leggie duo ready to put NZ in a spin

Kristen Beams and Amanda-Jade Wellington could form a potent duo in this month's limited-overs matches against New Zealand

Australia are set to unleash their two-prong leg-spin attack in this month’s limited-overs series against New Zealand, with Kristen Beams and Amanda-Jade Wellington likely to line up in the same XI for the first time.

Wellington, 19, made her debut for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in a one-day international against South Africa in November – taking a wicket with her very first ball – but her ODI call-up came at the expense of Beams, who had been ruled out of the final two matches of the series with a fractured finger.

Wellington strikes with first international ball

Beams is now back and firing, having collected 11 wickets in seven matches for the Melbourne Stars in the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League, including hauls of 3-11, 3-11 and 3-12.

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But her return to fitness doesn’t necessarily mean Wellington will find herself carrying the drinks, and instead the youngster could be handed a maiden T20 cap when the first match gets underway at the MCG on February 17.

Australia coach Matthew Mott says there’s nothing stopping the duo being named in the same XI, believing their vastly different approaches to the art of leg-spin will only complement each other.

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"I can see those two forming a very good combination,” Mott told cricket.com.au following Wellington’s impressive start to her international career.

"The fact they’re both leg-spinners, that’s where the similarity ends. They have two vastly different styles of bowling.

"Beamsy bowls tighter lines and has less side spin, she attacks the batters’ font pad and gets them out bowled and lbw.

"Wellington is more of your traditional leg-spinner, she throws the ball up with great loop and bounce and turns it quite a big way.

"The fact they’re both leg spinners is just a coincidence. They just offer so many different things and hit different angles, so I see them bowling in tandem easily and doing a good job during those middle overs."

Wellington has the Heat in spin

Wellington’s selection for the series came after she finished equal top of the wickets table in the Women’s National Cricket League, while her strong finish to WBBL|02 has her in good stead to win a spot in the T20 line-up.

But even if the Southern Stars don’t unleash the Beams-Wellington pairing during the T20s, it’s a combination that is almost certain to be seen during the three-game ODI series that will immediately follow across of the Tasman.

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It’s a moment Beams is looking forward to as she prepares to return to Australian colours.

"(Wellington’s) a super talent and there are a lot of great things about her,” Beams said during WBBL|02.

"I’m looking forward to the opportunity (to bowl with her), we didn’t get the opportunity in Coffs Harbour because of my finger but she’s a great talent.

"We’re building really nicely so it’s an exciting time for the team."

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The Australian squad will gather in Melbourne early next week to prepare for the T20s against the White Ferns, which will be played at the MCG (Feb 17), Geelong’s Kardinia Park (Feb 19) and Adelaide Oval (Feb 22).

Three ODIs will follow in Auckland (Feb 26) and Mount Maunganui (March 2 and 5).

The three T20s will be played as double-headers alongside the men’s KFC T20 INTL series against Sri Lanka, with all three matches to be broadcast live on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

Australia v New Zealand T20s

17 February: MCG, Melbourne, 2.05pm AEDT

19 February: Kardinia Park, Geelong, 2.35pm AEDT

22 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2.05pm AEDT

Australia v New Zealand ODIs

26 February: Eden Park No.2, Auckland, 9am AEDT

2 March: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT 

5 March: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT

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