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Schutt impressed by nerveless newcomers

Megan Schutt full of praise for newcomers Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham following a dominant show by the Aussie bowlers in Malaysia

Spearhead Megan Schutt has praised the composure of Australia’s two newest ODI players, after Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham wasted no time making an impact in their maiden one-day outings on Thursday.

Presented with ODI caps No.138 and 139 respectively ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur’s Kinrara Academy Ground, Molineux and Wareham joined in a dominant display from the Australian bowlers as Pakistan were dismissed for 95.

Taking advantage of the slow wicket, 19-year-old leg-spinner Wareham collected the key scalps of opener Nahida Khan (17 off 27) and Pakistan skipper Javeria Khan (21 off 27) – the only local batters who had looked capable of scoring runs at a decent clip.

And while it took left-arm tweaker Molineux, 20, five T20Is to break through for her maiden international wicket, she merely had to sit through a two-and-a-half hour rain delay before striking with her fourth delivery after play resumed, bowling Sidra Nawaz for naught.

"It was beautiful," Schutt said after play. "They’re two people who genuinely deserved (their debuts).

"In the trial match the other day they showed what they could do and they did well today, they don’t show any nerves at all."

While the Australian batters lost five wickets on a tricky wicket in pursuit of a revised total of 92, there was little to fault in the tourists’ bowling effort.

Schutt was named player of the match for her 3-17 from 7.2 overs, while fellow pace bowler Nicola Carey collected 3-19 from her seven, using the skiddy wicket to perfection.

"I thought we bowled pretty well, to be honest," Schutt said.

"It was a pretty skiddy wicket and we adapted to that and kept it to a low total.

"I think attacking the stumps was pretty important, obviously the whole mentality of ‘they miss you hit’ is pretty crucial on wickets like this."

Australia go 1-0 up with gritty win in Malaysia

Schutt has built a reputation as one of the world’s best limited-overs bowlers in recent years and currently sits second in the ICC’s ODI bowling charts.

Having never played in Malaysia before, the 25-year-old said it was simply a matter of sticking to her plans.

"I don’t know (what’s behind her recent success) but it’s a bit to do with confidence and also knowing my role," she explained.

"They’re pretty clear on what our roles are for all of us and having that coming into a match is something you can feel pretty confident with.

"(Today) I didn’t change my plan too much, I try to be as attacking at the stumps I can and tried to use my swing.

"There was a little bit of that there for me today early so that worked in my favour."

Australia will have a day off on Friday before they’ll aim to seal an ODI series win in Saturday’s second ODI, beginning at 9.30am local time (12.30pm AEDT).

The Pakistan Cricket Board will live stream all ODI and T20I matches throughout the series, while live scores will be available on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live App.

CommBank Tour of Malaysia

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Australia T20 & World T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen (subject to fitness), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Pakistan ODI/T20 squad: Javeria Khan (c), Bibi Nahida, Ayesha Zafar, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Rashid, Sidra Nawaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sundhu, Anum Amin, Natalia Parvaiz, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Aiman Anwar

October 18: Australia won the first ODI by five wickets

October 20: Second ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 22: Third ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 25: First T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 27: Second T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 29: Third T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground