Megan Schutt to miss opening leg of WBBL07

The Strikers squad are scheduled to play four matches in the first leg of the tournament in Tasmania and will travel with allrounder Ella Wilson and top-order batter Tess Cooper as replacement players.

Schutt, who stood in as captain of the Strikers following the injury to Suzie Bates last season, will continue to monitor the health of her daughter Rylee, born prematurely, before making a decision about joining the squad. The family only recently returned home after an extended period in the hospital.

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O'Neil, on the other hand, will look to return to Premier Cricket and steadily increase her loads. It is expected that she will be able to join the squad in the second leg of the tournament in Perth.

Named as O'Neil's replacement, Cooper joins the Strikers squad from Queensland. She has represented Queensland Fire in the Women's National Cricket League and Brisbane Heal in the WBBL as well. A year 12 student, she will have to balance her school work with cricket. However, after promising performances for Glenelg District Cricket Club, there is plenty of excitement around her ability.

The Strikers will kick off their campaign against defending champions Sydney Thunder on Saturday (October 16) at the Blundstone Arena.

Squad: Darcie Brown, Tahlia McGrath, Dane van Niekerk, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemma Barsby, Nell Bryson-Smith, Sarah Coyte, Meagan Dixon, Katie Mack, Tegan McPharlin, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, Tess Cooper