Meg Lanning’s break from cricket is over with the worldwide celebrity declaring she’s “all in” after she was named within the Australian ODI squad to tackle Pakistan on house soil subsequent month, though Alyssa Healy will miss the collection on account of a calf harm.
Lanning hasn’t performed for 5 months after she went on an indefinite break following a busy schedule that included an Ashes collection, 50-over World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
There had been whispers she might be nearing a return when she was noticed within the nets on Thursday, and the rumours had been confirmed on Friday morning when she was named as captain to steer the 13-player squad.
“Meg is all in,” nationwide selector Shawn Flegler mentioned.
“Her words are that she’s not just coming back to make up the numbers; she’s back to dominate. When those words came out of her mouth, it was pretty nice to hear.
“Knowing the person she is and the preparation she’s put into her career, she’s not going to come back halfway. It’s all in for Meg.
“It’s been driven by Meg. We always hoped that she’d come back and play. It’s a great story that she’s had the time off and she feels refreshed and ready to come back.
“She’s taken this time out to work out what’s really important for her and the things she needs to do to manage herself.
“It’s a tough gig being the Australian captain and she’s done it for a long time, so we’re just really pleased that she’s refreshed, happy and knows what she wants to do.”
Lanning’s management and batting prowess are simply what the Aussies want given stand-in skipper Healy will miss the collection after she injured her calf in India, which suggests Tahlia McGrath will retain her function as vice-captain.
Young gun Phoebe Litchfield and former Irish bowler Kim Garth have each been picked and are in line to make their ODI debuts, however Jess Jonassen might want to overcome a hamstring harm if she desires to be thought-about for the primary recreation on January 16.
Healy may have scans in Melbourne on Friday, however Flegler is hopeful that she’ll have the ability to return for the T20 portion of the Pakistan collection.
“It’s not a great injury,” he mentioned.
“They take a little bit to come back from, but we’re hopeful she’ll be back for the T20s. The World Cup is the target and that’s the main focus, but if she can get back and play in the T20s against Pakistan, then we’ll look to include her in that squad.
“Alyssa won’t have recovered from her calf injury in time, so that presents an opportunity for Beth (Mooney) to take the gloves in her absence.
“The Indian series allowed us to blood some new talent and it’s pleasing to be able to retain Kim and Phoebe for this series.
“Heather Graham, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris unfortunately miss out; however, they all remain in contention for selection for the T20 leg of the tour and T20 World Cup.”
Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland.
