Frugal Schutt shines in batter's game

In a series that was set-up to be dominated by the batters (and largely was), Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt stood a class above.

In seven matches on a brilliant batting deck with a lightning outfield, three of the top four highest women’s T20I totals ever were posted at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, culminating in Australia’s record-breaking 4-209 in the final against England.

And there, amid the carnage, was Schutt.

The 25-year-old South Australian was named player of the series after taking nine wickets at 12.33, including the first ever T20I hat-trick by an Australian.

Even more importantly, she finished with an economy rate of just 6.28 runs per over, far and away the lowest across the three competing teams. Of the 13 bowlers in the series who sent down more than 10 overs, the next best economy rate was 7.18 (by teammate Ash Gardner).

A brilliant ODI series in Vadodara earlier this month saw Schutt climb to second in the one-day bowling rankings. It’s a position she already occupies in the T20I charts and with only a six-point gap between her and Windies off-spinner Hayley Matthews, she’s a strong chance to rise to No.1 when the rankings are updated in the coming days.

"Unexpected was a better word," Schutt laughed when asked if she was pleased to claim player-of-the-series in a series where the runs flowed.

"But obviously pretty pleasing.

"T20 cricket is a lot about economy rate and I was just trying to use the conditions as much as I could and take as much pace off the ball as I could."

She might have been surprised, but Schutt’s recent form tells a compelling tale of a bowler finding the peak of her powers.

Schutt was unlucky not to be named player of the series in the multi-format Ashes last November after taking 18 wickets in seven matches at 15.16.

She’s carried that form with her to the subcontinent, where she took four wickets at 28.75 in the ODIs series but bowled at an economy rate of just 3.87.

Australia captain Meg Lanning could not be happier knowing she can throw Schutt the ball when the pressure is on, be that in the powerplay, the middle overs or at the death.

"I think Megan is always willing to adapt her game and try new things,” Lanning said.

"We’ve been forced to do that. As a bowler in these conditions, you need to be able to take that head on and be proactive and that’s been the best thing; Megan’s been willing to try things we haven’t done before, trusting we’ve got the plans and if you execute, it works really well.

"That’s the key, she’s been able to execute more often than not."

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.

Australia squad: Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test South Africa won by 322 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage