3 minute read
Lauren Cheatle last played cricket for Australia as an 18-year-old in 2017 but she could be on the cusp of a return against New Zealand.
Young left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle could be in the mix to play her first game for Australia in almost two years as selectors mull over the women's one-day squad to face New Zealand.
Cheatle debuted for Australia as a 17-year-old in Twenty20s in January 2016 but a shoulder reconstruction and back stress fracture have kept her out of international cricket since March 2017.
Selectors will unveil a 13-player squad on Wednesday for the three-match Rose Bowl one-day series against the White Ferns, with minimal changes expected from the successful World Twenty20 squad from November.
Opening batter Nicole Bolton (personal reasons) and young quick Tayla Vlaeminck (knee injury) will both miss the series, potentially opening the door for Cheatle's return.
It comes after 20-year-old Cheatle took seven wickets at an average of 12.3 in the last three one-day matches for NSW this month, en route to another Women's National Cricket League title.
"With Tayla out there is an opportunity there for a fast bowler. Lauren is right in there," Australia's coach Matthew Mott told AAP.
"She has always been a huge player on our list as someone who swings the new ball and trying to get lbws against right handers.
"In the past the only thing that has kept her out of the team has been injury.
"She's been well and firing, so she'll be one of the players in the mix (for squad selection)."
An opener is unlikely to be brought into the squad for Bolton, with either Rachael Haynes or Beth Mooney expected to move up the order to partner Alyssa Healy at the top.
Middle-order batter Elyse Villani is the only other player in doubt with a hamstring strain.
The other decision for selectors is whether Jess Jonassen regains the off-spinning role from Sophie Molineux, after a knee injury ruined Jonassen's preparations for the World T20.
Australia haven't lost the Rose Bowl series since 1999 and the February 22, 24 and March 3 fixtures are the last games before this winter's multi-formatted Ashes in England.
