Lanning, Osborne to be fit for NZ clash

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning is expected to be fit and ready for her team's crucial clash with New Zealand on Monday.

Lanning fought through a nasty bout of gastro to score a match-winning unbeaten 30 from 19 balls against South Africa on Friday, but she was almost a late scratching when she suddenly fell ill right before the coin toss in Nagpur, and missed half of the Proteas' innings.

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The 23-year-old spent Saturday recovering and did not take part in the team's pool session – which involved a highly competitive game of volleyball – but team doctor Leanne Hutchison said Lanning was on the mend.

"Meg has had some symptoms of gastroenteritis," Hutchison said. "We will continue to monitor her."

Lanning's illness was one of two injury concerns that had Australia scrambling before the match on Friday night.

Off-spinner Erin Osborne split the webbing in her bowling hand during the warm-up, almost forcing another late change to the Southern Stars XI, but pushed through after receiving treatment and went on to restrict South Africa to seven runs from her two overs.

Osborne missed four matches during the Rebel Women's Big Bash League season with the same complaint, but Hutchison confirmed the 26-year-old would be available for Monday's match against the White Ferns.

"Erin suffered a hand injury on Saturday which we treated immediately," she said. "She will be available for selection for Monday's match".

Australia opted for a three-prong spin attack on Friday, using Osborne alongside Jess Jonassen and Kristen Beams, but the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium pitch proved not to offer the same turn as the one which saw the Black Caps spinners dismantle India at the same venue three days earlier.

It means Australia may choose to switch up their bowling attack for Monday, depending on which of the pitches is made available for their second Nagpur outing.

Lanning's determination to bat despite her illness, coming out at No.6 when her team was 4-53 and needed 50 runs for victory, won widespread praise from her teammates after Australia's victory.

Allrounder Ellyse Perry joined the chorus on Saturday, saying it "spoke volumes" about the captain's character.

"I think it was a pretty gutsy performance, pardon the pun," Perry quipped.

"But to not to be feeling 100 per cent, it was incredible to see her come out and bat the way she did.

"It speaks volumes about Meg's character and how tough she is.

"I think she's on the mend and hopefully she'll be back up and running and 100 per cent in the next couple of days."