'Unique' Cheatle to bring Ashes X-factor

Lauren Cheatle's "unique" left-arm pace could be the X-factor Australia needs to retain the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes, coach Matthew Mott says.

The 18-year-old is still on the comeback trail after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year, but did enough in her first game since the injury – for New South Wales against Victoria last weekend – to win herself a spot in Australia's ODI and Test squads for the multi-format Ashes.

She only bowled seven overs in that game, finishing with figures of 0-31, but Mott believes the teenager speedster's potential could be a real asset against England.

"Lauren's matured a lot in the last year and she's had her share of setbacks, but she looks fit and strong and I think she'll get better for every run she gets," Mott told cricket.com.au.

"She looked a bit rusty the other day and hadn't had much time in the middle but what she brings to the table is quite unique in world cricket.

"She's a left-arm bowler who swings the ball and we look at her as a real wicket-taking option for us.

"She swings it back into the right hander and away from the left handers, and in top flight she's going to be a handful so we're excited to have her back."

While Australia have been successful at squeezing opposition batting line-ups in limited-overs cricket of late, managing to at least dry up the runs when the wickets aren't falling, that potential to be a genuine wicket-taking threat could see Cheatle earn a maiden Baggy Green in the one-off day-night Test match at North Sydney Oval next month.

"(Wicket-taking) will be a big part of the selection process, we know from the last two Tests against England that wickets are at a premium and you need bowlers who can take wickets on flat surfaces when batters are prepared to bat time out.

"Our attack will be based on a mixture of players who can do a role and bowl overs that apply pressure, but we definitely need some wicket-taking ability in there and that's where someone like Lauren comes into the mix big time."

The North Sydney Oval Test will be the first women's pink-ball Test, but the 15-player Australian squad will have a chance to press their claims for inclusion in the XI during a three-day warm-up against an ACT team in Canberra early next month.

While Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt will headline the seam attack, there are three options for a third quick: Cheatle, fellow NSW teenager Belinda Vakarewa and 21-year-old South Australian allrounder Tahlia McGrath.

Cheatle says she is confident she will be ready to go if selected in Australia's team for the opening Ashes match, an ODI at Brisbane's Allan Border Field, on October 22.

"I pulled up really good after Sunday, so I'm trusting it a bit more now," Cheatle said.

"It's the first time I've been completely ruled out of anything. It was tough but I'm really excited now to have this opportunity now to be in this Ashes squad.

"I must say I'm a little bit surprised to be in this squad, in a good way. I did put a bit of pressure on myself and I think that was all internal."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT