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Ellyse Perry is on track to face New Zealand next month in three ODIs and T20s with Maitlan Brown the bolter in Australia's 18-player squad.
Ellyse Perry will be given every chance to face New Zealand next month with selectors set to give Maitlan Brown a shot at a dream Australian debut.
Perry was on Friday named in an 18-player squad for three T20s and three ODIs against New Zealand beginning next month, as she battles to return from a hamstring injury.
The star allrounder has not played since injury forced her to miss Australia's T20 World Cup victory, with the final played in front of 86,174 fans at the MCG on March 8.
However she is back running and is on track to take part in the series, which is scheduled to start at North Sydney on September 27 but could move due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"We've been training as much as we can in Victoria (with the state side), and Pez is part of that," captain Meg Lanning said.
"It's looking good for her ... It's just a matter of if she can get up to match fitness."
The health crisis forced selectors to name a larger group than normal for the upcoming matches in a bubble environment, creating a golden opportunity for Brown.
The 23-year-old was forced to leave NSW just four years ago to head to the ACT to get her chance, unable to crack into the all-conquering Breakers outfit.
She spent the first season enduring seven-hour trips for matches while still living on the NSW mid-north coast, unable to secure a full-time contract and making her way on $200 match payments.
"It's crazy and mind-blowing to seeing how far I have come," Brown said on Friday.
"I was at a stage where I was struggling to find a place.
"I was always really passionate about pursuing cricket and at that time it was a bit of a risk initially moving down to ACT.
"It was self-funding. I'm really glad I took that leap of faith and I was presented with some great opportunities that have led me to where I am today."
Brown then starred in last year's WBBL with the Melbourne Renegades, taking 16 wickets at 22.12.
Quick Belinda Vakarewa and allrounder Tahlia McGrath have also both returned off solid WBBL seasons last year.
Meanwhile Tayla Vlamenick is still out as Australia take it slow with the young speedster as she battles to return from a stress fracture in her foot that ruled her out of the World Cup.
Australia's 18-player squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry (subject to fitness), Megan Schutt, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Belinda Vakarewa.
