Schutt pragmatic about T20 future, open to Champs Trophy

Megan Schutt says she is not ruling out playing in next year's ICC's T20 Champions Trophy, instead content on leaving her fate in the hands of the national selectors.  

Schutt issued a reminder of her enduring class at Allan Border Field on Friday, producing a superb opening spell and finishing with 2-19 from her 10 overs in the first ODI against Bangladesh.

The 33-year-old declared earlier this year that the T20 World Cup in England in June would be her final ICC tournament, and while she has never publicly proposed an end-date for her decorated international career, that sentiment suggested she may not foresee herself playing on beyond the end of the 2026-27 summer.

Now, with the inaugural T20 Champions Trophy – a new six-team ICC event – brought forward by five months from June 2027 to February in order to accommodate an Olympic qualifying tournament, Schutt conceded her previous declaration had become less clear.

"I don't know, to be honest," Schutt told reporters following Australia's seven-wicket win. "I think that getting dragged back earlier has thrown things a little bit, I won't lie – but (selection's) not really up to me."

Schutt played one match during Australia's unbeaten campaign in England, with the ascension of left-armer Lucy Hamilton squeezing her out of the XI following Australia's group game against Bangladesh.

The Champions Trophy will be held in India, and competition for fast-bowling spots in the 15-player squad will be fierce with Darcie Brown – a surprise axing for this year's World Cup – and a returning Tayla Vlaeminck among those who will be vying for selection.

As Australia's second-highest all-time wicket taker across formats, with 311 from 242 matches, Schutt has vast experience and past success in subcontinent conditions on her side, but the right-armer adopted a pragmatic attitude towards what the future may hold.

"Not being in the XI throughout the World Cup, that's maybe signs for the T20 game ahead," Schutt said.

"Who knows – if I'm in the mix, that'll be great. If I'm not, so be it. I'd equally just like to watch us win from home.

"I think I've got to the age now that I've just accepted all that's out of my control."

Schutt's miserly display on Friday saw her become just the third Australian woman to take 150 ODI wickets, joining the legendary Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) and current teammate Ellyse Perry (166).

It also continued her strong record at the boutique Brisbane Ground, where she has now taken 20 wickets in 12 ODIs, more than any other woman.

Earlier this year, Schutt took a career-best 5-19 against India at the ground, in what was a timely reminder to selectors after she had initially been left out of the 50-over squad, and only recalled at the last minute following an injury to Kim Garth.

"I'm not one for milestones and I didn't know that was coming, so that was cool," Schutt said.

"It makes me feel extra old, if I'm honest. At the end of the day, it's a number (but) it sounds really good when it's announced for the crowd and stuff. Hopefully I've got a few more in the bag still.

"I do like bowling up here, just generally, the conditions are always pretty decent. There's always something in it for bowlers, and I think even the last WNCL game we played up here, there was a lot of spice in the wicket and that just makes you feel like a good bowler.

"There's not many places in Australia anymore that I go out there thinking I've got a good opportunity to get a wicket in the first over, so it's enjoyable."

NRMA Insurance Women's ODI Series v Bangladesh

First ODI: Australia won by seven wickets

Second ODI: Sunday, October 11 (D/N)

Third ODI: Wednesday, October 14 (D/N)

* All matches played at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, starting at 1:50pm local

Australia ODI squad: Tahlia McGrath (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham 

Bangladesh ODI squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Sarmin Sultana, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akther, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Farzana Haque, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Habiba Islam

NRMA Insurance Women's T20 Series v New Zealand

First T20I: Sunday, October 18

Second T20I: Tuesday, October 20

Third T20I: Thursday, October 22

* All matches played at North Sydney Oval starting at 7:15pm AEDT

Australia T20I squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham 

New Zealand T20I squad: Melie Kerr (c), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp

All women's international matches will be shown live on Seven, 7Plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel