Search

show me:

Youngsters set to push veterans: Lanning

3 minute read

Meg Lanning says places in Australia's opening ODI against New Zealand are up for grabs in quarantine.

MEG LANNING of Australia looks on after the Women's Twenty20 International match between the Australia Southern Stars and the New Zealand White Ferns at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
MEG LANNING of Australia looks on after the Women's Twenty20 International match between the Australia Southern Stars and the New Zealand White Ferns at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Crunch centre-wicket sessions while in quarantine will decide whether Meg Lanning's side opt with the old or the new in their ODI opener with New Zealand.

Australia are touring New Zealand over the next month, in a preview of next year's World Cup being staged on the Shaky Isles.

Like Aaron Finch's side before them, that begins with a fortnight in isolation, and so the Australian women have checked in for their hotel stay in Christchurch and settled into their own rhythms.

"I'm someone who can't really sit still, so I've been using the fresh air zone a little bit, trying to get my steps up," she said.

"There's a little bit of Netflix as well ... there's no real right or wrong to how you get through this. Everyone's different."

In line with their quarantine schedule, they've been able to visit the cricket facilities at nearby Lincoln University for the past two days.

As they progress towards their opening 50-over clash with Hamilton on March 28, they'll soon head out to the centre wicket for some match simulation.

Lanning said those sessions is where the tourists would "get back into game mode".

"We haven't settled on an XI yet. There are certainly going to be positions up for grabs," she said.

Stalwarts Ellyse Perry and Tayla Vlaeminck are back in the squad after long absences, while uncapped quicks Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington could force their way into contention.

Coach Matthew Mott has urged fringe players among the 17 travelling women to earn their places, saying he won't hand out caps for the sake of it.

Chief selector Shawn Flegler has pointed to the need to promote youth to continue the team's evolution.

Therein lines the competitive tension for Australia, and the long-term skipper said that can only be a good thing.

"We've got a couple of centre wickets coming up where everybody will get the chance to push their case and and see what they've got," Lanning said.

"If it means that the senior players take their game to another level, then that's only going to be a good thing."

What’s gambling really costing you?

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