Schutt pushed to play Test, but ‘agrees’ with call to sit out

Megan Schutt is adamant she was fit enough to take the field for Australia's sole Ashes Test against England, but was happy to accept the call as captain Meg Lanning revealed the thinking behind the selection surprise.

Schutt was expected to return to Australia's Test XI against England after missing the India series last September following the birth of her first child with wife Jess.

But despite the 28-year-old's superb record with the white ball, Australia instead opted for a pace-bowling attack led by teenager Darcie Brown and allrounders Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland, alongside three spin options in Alana King, Jess Jonassen and Ashleigh Gardner.

Lanning told cricket.com.au they had selected the attack they felt most likely to take 20 wickets in four days, while they had also been keen to take a cautious approach to Schutt after a recent bout of COVID-19.

"Schutter is one of the best, if not the best short-format bowler in the world," Lanning said.

"But the attack we've gone with in this Test match we feel one we feel is best suited to these conditions and this format.

"She's also a touch underdone as well, she had COVID (earlier this month), and then we didn't play a lot of T20 (last weekend).

"It just didn't seem like a very smart choice, especially given the one-dayers coming up."

Australia will play three Ashes ODIs in six days from next Thursday, before a one-day World Cup in New Zealand in March, and Schutt will play a huge role in their title hopes as the world's third-ranked ODI bowler.

"I always feel fit to play," Schutt told Seven during play on day one.

"I was pushing my hand up there, but at the end of the day we have a World Cup after this and you have to think of the long game sometimes.

"I wasn't even sure if I would be picked in the XI anyway. If the ball is not swinging I am kind of useless.

"We had some conversations pre-tour and catching COVID didn't really help my position.

Schutt was understandably disappointed to have missed the rare chance to play a Test; she has just four to her name in an international career that stretches back to 2012.

"I didn't argue with it," she continued.

"I am one to state my opinion if required, and I didn't argue with that one. I was agreeing with it."

Brown is certain to take the new ball when it comes time for Australia to field on day two, but Lanning was coy on who would open the bowling alongside the 19-year-old.

Perry performed the role in the pink-ball match against India earlier in the summer, while Sutherland and McGrath also present options.

"There was certainly some swing there with the new ball so we will want to utilise that as much as we can," Lanning said.

"We'll decide that overnight (and also judge based on) the conditions tomorrow."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 4-2

Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets

Jan 22: No Result

Jan 23: Match Abandoned without a ball bowled

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval, 10am AEDT, 

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT