Search

show me:

Schutt concedes India T20 advantage

3 minute read

Megan Schutt admits India's openers have found her easy to play in the past ahead of Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final between Australia and India.

MEGAN SCHUTT.
MEGAN SCHUTT. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Australia quick Megan Schutt has admitted India's openers have the wood over her ahead of Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final.

The Aussies suffered their only loss of their campaign in the tournament opener to India last month, where the visitors' top order got off to a flying start.

Schutt has enjoyed a strong World Cup, sitting as the equal top wicket-taker with nine for the tournament.

However, she had an unhappy opening night against India, with Shafali Verma hitting her for 16 from just one over early in the loss.

Verma also took to the world's best quick in a tri-series last month, hitting her back over her head for a massive six back over the South Australian's head.

"India, I hate playing," Schutt admitted.

"They've got the wood on me. Smriti (Mandhana) and (Shafali) Verma, they've got me covered."

In total, Australia have beaten India three times this summer, while India have had their measure twice.

Schutt was superb in Thursday night's win over South Africa, producing a pearler of an inswinger to bowl the dangerous Dane van Niekerk.

She is the world's best swing bowler, and has taken even more onus in the Australian attack with Ellyse Perry out of the World Cup finals injured.

Her record against Mandhana is also not as bad as she would have you believe.

The right-armer has dismissed her four four times in Twenty20 cricket - more than she has any other batter.

But Verma is a different challenge.

The fearless 16-year-old has menaced several opening bowlers, as the leading six hitter with 19 at a tournament-high strike rate of 161 while still averaging of 40.25.

And Schutt suggested she could be held back out of the powerplay and away from India's openers up front.

"There are obviously some plans we're going to revisit as bowlers," Schutt said.

"Clearly I don't think I'm the best match-up to those two in the power play, they find me easy to play.

"But it's not a bad thing. It's cool we go in against a team we played in the tri-series and we know where they're at as a team and same with them with us."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au