'I'm here to change that stereotype'

Australia spearhead Megan Schutt says she’s out to change the perception that fast bowlers don’t make ideal captains as she prepares to lead South Australia this summer.

Schutt, the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler, has taken the reins from Scorpions wicketkeeper Tegan McPharlin for the 2018-2019 Women’s National Cricket League season.

It’s her first senior captaincy role, with McPharlin stepping back into the vice-captaincy role to concentrate on her wicketkeeping.

“It’s something new for me, but it’s Tegan and I again so it’s the same show as before but we’ve switched roles,” Schutt told cricket.com.au.

“Everyone jokes about fast bowlers not being captain, so I’m here to try and change that stereotype.

“You don’t want to seem cocky in a way, saying ‘we need to take a wicket so I’ll bring myself on’, but I do need to remember that I am the strike bowler and my role is to try and take wickets.”

The 25-year-old had her first taste of on-field leadership during practice matches on the Sunshine Coast late last month, and is hopeful she’ll be able to perfectly manage the fine line between over- or under-bowling herself.

“It’s a good challenge. I think the hardest part will be making sure I only concentrate on bowling when I’m bowling, and don’t think about captaincy when I’m bowling,” she said.

“It’ll definitely be a balancing act for me, but that’s why I have Tegan there.

“If time passes too much and I haven’t been bowling myself, I think she’ll give me a kick up the butt and say, ‘it’s your turn to roll the arm over’.”

The WNCL season kicks off on September 21, with South Australia to meet last summer’s runners-up Western Australia and Victoria at Perth’s Murdoch University during the first weekend of matches.

With a squad boasting Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington alongside a host of exciting young players including National Performance Squad member Tahlia McGrath, Schutt is hopeful her team can make an impact this summer.

“I think the girls are ready to go, it’s been a long pre-season,” Schutt said.

“When I think of where we were at last year compared to this year, it’s really impressive.

“To see the way the kids backed themselves out on turf for the first time this season was great and for me with the captaincy, it was just good to switch my brain back on to cricket mode.”

And for Schutt, a long break between Australian tours has meant she’s enjoyed far more time with her state teammates than she has during recent winters.

“This has been my first proper pre-season since I’ve been in the Aussie squad, so that’s five years.

“I don’t have a long concentration span to do to the same thing week in, week out without playing a game of cricket, so it’s been a bit of a test for me but I’ve got through it.

“It’s been nice to be around the kids and it’s been good timing for me being captain this year, having a chance to spend pre-season with some of the players who I didn’t know too well before.”

While it’s been a long five months since Australia wrapped up their successful tour of India, the matches are set to flow thick and fast as Schutt and her teammates enter what looms as their busiest period ever.

The opening round of WNCL will be a valuable chance for Australia’s top players to find form ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Bank T20 International series against New Zealand, beginning with a blockbuster Saturday night match at North Sydney Oval on September 29.

The three-match T20 series – which also features games in Brisbane and Canberra – will be followed by an away tour against Pakistan, before Australia head to the World T20 in the Caribbean in November.

And following that tournament, there’ll be just days for players to catch their breath before the fourth edition of the Rebel WBBL kicks off with a huge Opening Weekend of matches at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on December 1-2.

“I was having a look at the schedule and over the next three, months I think I have about 10 days at time,” Schutt said.

“I’m excited to spend that much time with my teammates … I do miss them when I’m not with them.”

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra