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Aussie women on cusp of ODI win streak

3 minute read

Australia's women can draw level with Ricky Ponting's side of 2003 on 21-consecutive ODI victories if they win against New Zealand in Brisbane on Wednesday.

MEG LANNING.
MEG LANNING. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

There is no need to discuss the prospect of a world-record winning streak when you hate losing as much as Megan Schutt does.

Australia's women can equal the record of 21-straight one-day international wins set by Ricky Ponting's star-studded side in 2003 with victory against New Zealand in Brisbane on Wednesday.

They have not lost a 50-over clash since October 2017, marching unbeaten through India and a run of five more bilateral series before the coronavirus pandemic stalled their progress.

Leading New Zealand 2-0, the record is finally within reach but, according to Schutt, is still only something talked about externally.

"There hasn't actually been a discussion; but obviously deep down it'd be cool to reach the record," the veteran bowler said.

"But never (do we get sick of winning) ... losing sucks. We're pretty hard on ourselves when we do - it makes you dive deep and pick little things out - but we still do that when we're successful.

"There's been many occasions where we've been holding up the trophy after just losing that last match.

"It's hard to crack a smile sometimes, it feels a bit rough, so we spoke about making sure we finish off the series well."

Australia sealed the series on Monday thanks to an unbeaten century from captain Meg Lanning, Australia easily running down the 252 needed after New Zealand's fast start.

"It's that team belief; we've been in so many games where we've pulled it back from nowhere or made something happen," Schutt said.

"No matter what the situation is, we've got the experience to combat that."

Schutt took the new ball with rookie Annabel Sutherland, who has provided a dose of extra pace missing in the absence of injured Ellyse Perry.

While impressed with her, Schutt is asking more from herself in game three, critical of her length and line that has not adjusted since shifting from the shorter format last week.

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