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Stars selectors face tough choices

Fitting 15 into 11 appears a tough task as Australia's women tune-up for their World Cup opener

Pace bowler Megan Schutt concedes there are plenty of unknowns surrounding the make-up of Australia’s best XI for their Women’s World Cup opener later this month, saying she doesn’t envy the task of selectors.

Australia’s squad had their second serious hit-out since arriving in the United Kingdom on Thursday, in the form of a 25-over-a-side intra-squad practice match at the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.

With a strong focus on making early strikes with the ball and on finishing innings strongly with the bat, the match – which saw the Australian squad split into two teams, the ‘Dolphins’ and the ‘Sharks’ – was played across two innings, the first mimicking the initial 10-over Power Play, the second, overs 35 to 50.

With more than just the shiny new ‘Dolphins v Sharks’ chalice on the line, it was Australia’s batters who continued their strong start to the World Cup campaign, with Ellyse Perry, Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney all scoring half-centuries and spending valuable time in the middle.

Dolphins all talk as Sharks bite back

Wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy produced another powerful display, striking 34 from 21 deliveries, but Elyse Villani (11 off 9) and Alex Blackwell (17 off 19) both had their stints at the crease cut short when run out at the non-strikers’ end.

Bolton and Perry both continued their outstanding form from Wednesday’s warm-up against New Zealand, with Perry again punishing as she raced to 53 from 47 deliveries before retiring, while Mooney found the boundary nine times on her way to 61 off 63.

Quick Single: Missed World Cup driving Jonassen

“Beth Mooney was awesome today,” Schutt said after the intra-squad hit out. “She rotates the strike like no other.

“Hopefully there are big things to come for her in this World Cup.”

“I think the 15 we have here, I’m glad I’m not a coach.

“Trying to pick that first XI, that will be a really hard job.”

Jonassen fueled by bittersweet memories

While there’s little doubt about the make-up of Australia’s top order, with Mooney, Bolton, Meg Lanning, Perry and Blackwell set to fill the top five positions, the make-up of the bowling attack is less clear.

Friday’s session was a valuable workout for those hoping to cement a spot with the ball, Schutt again impressive as she swung the ball, while uncapped pace bowler Sarah Aley had her first bowl of the tour.

With the opening week of Australia’s campaign now complete, the squad relocate to Leicester on Saturday.\

Quick Single: Perry calls for final-overs focus

Two official ICC warm-up matches beckon next week, first against South Africa on Tuesday in Oakham, before a hit out against Pakistan at Leicester’s Grace Rd Oval on Thursday.

After a competitive series against the Proteas last November, Schutt is tipping Tuesday’s encounter to be an enthralling one.

“They came out hard against us and we had a really good series against them in Australia,” Schutt said.

“I think they’ll come out the same way against us in the practice match and that’s the time (for us) to try new things, so I think there’s going to be some big hitting from a few players there.”


Women's World Cup 2017 Guide


Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Squads: Every World Cup squad named so far

Australia's World Cup schedule


View the full tournament schedule here


Warm-up matches


June 20: Australia v South Africa, Oakham


June 22: Australia v Pakistan, Leicester



Tournament


June 26: Australia v West Indies, Taunton


June 29: Sri Lanka v Australia, Bristol


July 2: Australia v New Zealand, Bristol


July 5: Pakistan v Australia, Leicester


July 9: England vAustralia, Bristol


July 12: Australia v India, Bristol


July 15: South Africa v Australia, Taunton


July 18: First semi-final, Bristol


July 20: Second semi-final, Derby


July 23: Final, Lord's