Schutt easily swung by new ODI rule

A subtle tweak to the playing conditions for the one-day international leg of the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes has Australia seamer Megan Schutt jumping out of her skin.

In accordance to the updated playing conditions of the ICC Women's Championship – the global round-robin tournament that results in World Cup qualification – two balls will be used in Women's 50-over cricket for the first time.

The use of two balls in ODI cricket was adopted by the men in 2011 to eliminate the need to replace the original ball after 35 overs with a used, harder and whiter ball, one that is easier to see for batters and fielders.

Schutt is a master of the swinging ball and is excited by the prospect of bowling with a ball that still moves through the air deep in the bowling innings.

"Swing is my most dangerous part of my bowling," she said on Wednesday. "We have two balls now, which is awesome and hopefully I can keep that ball swinging a bit longer.

"I'd love to be chucked the ball at the 30th over and (have it) still swinging. I think that's awesome."

But every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and Schutt knows the batters will also benefit from the addition of an extra ball.

"It goes both ways," she added. "It's better for the batters to be hitting and better for the bowlers to be still swinging the ball."

While wet weather has played havoc with Australia preparation for the opening ODI on Sunday at Allan Border Field, Schutt managed to squeeze in an impressive spell with the new ball against the Cricket Australia XI in a practice game yesterday.

The right-armer curved the ball beautifully under cloudy skies at Brisbane's Marist College Ashgrove, sending down five miserly overs for just nine runs, with two maidens to boot.

"I had a good session yesterday, which was nice to have a trundle outdoors," she said.

"We've been indoors for a little while now so it was good to get outside and actually play some outdoor cricket."

Australia are set to train tomorrow before their final practice game against the Queensland Fire on Friday ahead of Sunday's blockbuster series-opener against England at Allan Border Field.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT