Megan Schutt looks forward to sharing the new ball with Tahlia McGrath

Australia senior pacer Megan Schutt is looking forward to forming a potent pace attack with Tahlia McGrath for the country after the youngster earned her first Cricket Australia national contract earlier in April. “I am so happy for her (McGrath). It’s been deserved for a long time, but I think of how young she was when she first got an opportunity – she really was just a kid,” Schutt, who is also South Australian captain, was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au.



The 24-year-old had a standout domestic season and her central contract is a result of that, keeping in mind the World Cup a few months away in New Zealand next year. “She’s proved she’s worthy of a contract,” she said.



“The level she’s training at now with the confidence of getting that contract … I’ve been watching her a bit more than usual – that sounds a bit creepy – but even the way she’s fielding, everything seems to have taken a step up. That would be confidence from finally being recognised by Australian selectors.



“It’s great to have another South Australian in the mix – she completely deserves it, she’s a natural talent and the way she goes about her cricket is so calm and collected, it’s perfect for our mix of people,” added Schutt, who finished with 13 wickets in their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.



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While star allrounder Ellyse Perry is still trying hard in making a comeback from the serious hamstring injury that prematurely ended her World Cup campaign, it leaves McGrath with a golden opportunity to return back to the Australia set-up against New Zealand in September. McGrath’s last outing for Australia was during the 2017 Ashes.



The new-ball pair of Perry and Schutt has been the most devastating for several years. And with the former still recovering, the right-arm fast bowler believes McGrath can fill the big shoes after seeing her train at the Adelaide nets this pre-season.



“The shape away she’s getting in the nets at the moment – they are pre-season nets so they’re a little bit moist and there is going to be more swing – but the shape she’s getting (is significant). That’s what makes me and Pez such a good balance, she’s moving it out and I’m moving it in at the other end, so there’s no real chance to settle,” added Schutt.



“If Pez isn’t up and running for the next tour, then Tahlia is a good replacement because we’re used to doing (the same thing) at the state level. Now it’s just trying to do it at the Aussie level.” McGrath made into the Australian side at the age of 21 in late 2016 when she was called mid-way through a home ODI series against South Africa.



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However, a serious back injury cost her place in the 2017 World Cup squad the following year. And when the allrounder returned to make her Test debut during the 2017 Ashes, lack of confidence and form played spoilsport in maintaining her place in the national setup. But a strong 2019-2020 Women’s National Cricket League and WBBL turned things around for McGrath.



“She’s just a bit more relaxed and comfortable with herself,” Schutt said of McGrath. “When she was originally dropped, she was told she wasn’t a T20 player but she’s come out and smashed the Big Bash the last couple of years with the bat and the ball.



“The ball had been a bit of a letdown for her in the WNCL the last couple seasons, but in the summer just gone she was excellent. She improved in all the aspects they told her to and she’s been rewarded for that. She’s only 24 now and to think her first opportunity came so young, and there’s been a time in between for her to develop and keep pushing – she’s still got so many years ahead of her and that’s what is so exciting,” concluded Schutt.