Schutt selects her prime Ashes target

During Australia's golden era either side of the new millennium, no men's Ashes series was complete without champion fast bowler Glenn McGrath nominating his batting bunnies.

Now as Australia finalise their preparations ahead of the multi-format Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes, spearhead Megan Schutt has followed in the footsteps of McGrath, her childhood hero, and called out an England batter who she aims to target this summer.

"Heather Knight," Schutt said. "I don't have a reason but I'm going to do it.

"She's captain so I might as well nominate their big gun."

With wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy declaring she's "bringing the bitch back" in the Ashes – which starts on Sunday at Allan Border Field in Brisbane – Schutt said she's going to follow Healy's lead when it comes to talk out in the middle.

"We've spoken a bit about having a presence out there," Schutt said.

"Until recently we've been the No.1 team in the world for a long time and I think we need to show that while we're out there.

"For me, I try to be intimidating.

"I'm a fast bowler but I'm not really, I'm a medium-fast bowler so I've got to make up for that in some way and I like to have a bit of chat while I'm out there.

"I personally had a bit of a giggle at that with 'Midge' (Healy) because that just describes her perfectly, that kind of comment.

"Hopefully she can come out and do those things she spoke about because I absolutely love that."

Knight, England's Women's World Cup-winning skipper, is a worthy target in Schutt's crosshairs as the world's No.15-ranked ODI batter who averages 31.20 against Australia.

The 26-year-old leads an England squad brimming with confidence after claiming the World Cup on home soil this winter and usurping Australia as the No.1 team in the world.

When asked how much she wants to beat England, Schutt replied: "Really bad. Like, really bad. Especially on home soil."

"The Ashes is our favourite campaign and it's always a good contest," she added. "There will be nothing better than beating them at home."

En route to World Cup glory, England defeated Australia by three runs in a thriller in Bristol in what was perhaps the match of the tournament.

While the hosts went on to win it all, Australia were knocked out in the semi-finals by India and an unbelievable innings from Harmanpreet Kaur.

The shock World Cup exit hung over the Southern Stars in the direct aftermath but Schutt says her teammates no longer dwell on the disappointing tournament.

"We've got over that now," she said. "We've learnt from those mistakes that were made over there and we dealt with the personal issues that kind of came with that.

"We've really worked hard at getting over that speedbump.

"England won the round game over there so they're one-up on us at the moment and so we're keen to take that away from them."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

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