Australian coach Shelley Nitschke praised fast bowler Megan Schutt's professionalism after the player accepted her omission from the World Cup opener against New Zealand. Nitschke told ESPNCricinfo that team officials evaluated matchups and recent performances before selecting Darcie Brown for that contest. The coach confirmed Schutt would play a significant role moving forward, but declined to specify whether she would have appeared in the rained-out match against Sri Lanka.
Australia faces Pakistan on Thursday at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo after a week-long break from competition. Schutt has taken 10 wickets in nine one-day internationals against Pakistan but failed to claim a wicket in their last two meetings in early 2023. Brown has captured five wickets in two matches but allowed 52 runs in four overs against New Zealand.
The defending champions sit second on the points table with three points from two games. Australia won their opening match and earned one point after officials called off their game against Sri Lanka.
Australia faces Pakistan on Thursday at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo after a week-long break from competition. Schutt has taken 10 wickets in nine one-day internationals against Pakistan but failed to claim a wicket in their last two meetings in early 2023. Brown has captured five wickets in two matches but allowed 52 runs in four overs against New Zealand.
The defending champions sit second on the points table with three points from two games. Australia won their opening match and earned one point after officials called off their game against Sri Lanka.
