Schutt never imagined 'sticking around' to take 100 wickets

On the night Megan Schutt became the second fastest woman to take 100 ODI wickets, she seemed to be more excited about the fact she got the rare opportunity to bat.

After sitting on 99 ODI wickets for almost eight months, Schutt's removal of England opener Lauren Winfield-Hill saw her finally tick over to 100, reaching the mark in 66 innings, behind Australia legend Cathryn Fitzpatrick's 64, and just ahead of teammate Jess Jonassen's 67.

While Schutt was adamant she would never surpass Fitzpatrick's 180 ODI wickets – the second most by any woman behind India quick Jhulan Goswami's 240 – she was suitably chuffed at the milestone.

"It's cool, it's something that I never thought I would achieve," Schutt said on Thursday evening.

"I didn't think I was going to play cricket that long and stick around in this side, so for me, that's an awesome achievement … especially since Fitz was around at the start of my career and handed me a couple of caps and taught me at the start of my career (when she was Australian coach)."

It was a long-awaited return to one-day international cricket for the Australian spearhead, who missed September's series against India following the arrival of her first child with her wife, Jess.

It also followed a stuttering return to Australian colours in general, after Schutt played in the first Ashes T20 before the following two were washed out, and the 28-year-old was overlooked for the hosts' Test XI.

That omission was in part due to a brush with COVID following Christmas, which saw Schutt come into the Ashes underdone.

But her return was seamless, as she captured 2-39 from nine overs to help Australia defend what had seemed a below-par 9-205 – a total that included a single off the bat of No.10 Schutt – and officially retain the Ashes.

"I got to bat, I think it's been three years since that even happened," Schutt laughed.

"There was lots of excitement out there today … I was amped.

"(There was) an extended break over Christmas when we had a break from our state teams and then COVID hit, but at the end of the day, I've been doing it for a very long time, especially at this level, and I backed myself to come back in."

Schutt said she had drawn confidence from her success in WBBL|07, which also came following a truncated preparation.

The South Australian had missed the first leg of that tournament following daughter Rylee's premature arrival at just 28 weeks, but returned from parental leave to take 13 wickets in as many matches – with an economy rate of 5.37 – for the Adelaide Strikers.

"I think I've played enough cricket and been around a long time and I know my role, and I think having had a decent Big Bash and slipping back into that with pretty poor preparation in terms of game time, I backed myself to do it here," Schutt said.

Australia's bowling display at Manuka Oval on Thursday was dominated by the South Australians, with Darcie Brown taking 4-34 and Tahlia McGrath 2-34.

Schutt had particular praise for her new-ball partner Brown, who has stepped into the void left by Tayla Vlaeminck's season-ending foot injury and who is now set to shoulder unexpected responsibility throughout the World Cup.

"To have her in this side is incredible," Schutt said of the 18-year-old from Kapunda.

"I've been playing with her for a little while at state level and knew what she was capable of ... and she was always going to be great if she got the opportunity at this level.

"She just shines. She's free flowing – simple instructions for her are best – and she just goes out there and tries her hardest. It's beautiful to see."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 8-4

First T20: Australia won by nine wickets

Second T20: No Result

Third T20: Match Abandoned without a ball bowled

Test match: Match Drawn

First ODI: Australia won by 27 runs

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT