Australia consider fighting fire with fire

As New Zealand savour the idea of unleashing the world’s quickest female bowler at the WACA Ground, Australia are pondering whether to call in their own pace ace for Friday’s first one-day international in Perth.

White Ferns spearhead Lea Tahuhu had her first chance to roll the arm over at the WACA on Tuesday, but Australia’s quicks – including left-armer Lauren Cheatle, who is a chance to play her first ODI in almost two years after a torrid run of injuries – will wait until Wednesday for their first serious net session ahead of the Commonwealth Bank ODI series.

Cheatle’s only two one-dayers to date were against Australia’s trans-Tasman rivals in March 2017, with the 20-year-old recalled for this month’s series after finding both fitness and form in the Rebel WBBL and WNCL this summer.

“Everyone was really glad to see her last night when we all came together, she’d had to overcome a lot of adversity along the way being a young quick bowler and picking up some injuries at the start of her career,” Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes said Tuesday.

“She’s been bowling really well, not just for the Sixers but for NSW too.

“She’s getting really good shape too which is really dangerous as a right-handed batter.

“The conditions here are generally pretty good for pace bowling, so I wouldn’t be surprised (if including Cheatle) was something that was really considered during selection.”

Should Cheatle make her international return, she’ll present a different challenge for the New Zealand batters given the scarcity of left-arm quicks in the women’s game.

“Her form currently (is a threat), and there aren’t too many (left-arm pace bowlers) going about in the women’s game so they’re always going to be a threat,” White Ferns allrounder Sophie Devine said.

Devine, meanwhile, is looking forward to watching teammate Tahuhu in action in the west, after watching from afar as she found plenty of pace and bounce at the WACA during two matches for the Melbourne Renegades during WBBL|04.

“I’m actually a little bit worried about (facing) Lea Tahuhu in the nets,” Devine laughed.

“This is usually a fast bowler’s heaven with a bit of pace and bounce and she’s absolutely licking her lips to get in here and come charging in.

“I think without doubt Lea’s the quickest bowler in the women’s game at the moment and with a bit of a breeze coming through as well, she could prove pretty difficult.

“I was watching one of her Big Bash games here and she was really getting the ball through pretty quick, so I’m happy she’s on my team.”

Australia and New Zealand will fine-tune their preparations at the WACA on Wednesday and Thursday before the first ODI gets underway at 10.20am local time (1.20pm AEDT) on Friday.

The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Channel 7 and can be live streamed via Kayo, with news, scores and highlights on cricket.com.au and the CA Live App.

CommBank ODIs v NZ 

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

February 22: First ODI, WACA Ground, Perth

February 24: Second ODI, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

March 3: Third ODI, Junction Oval, Melbourne