“I’ve been joking with them [the other players] all the time that they can’t get rid of me that easily,” Schutt told reporters on arrival in Hobart ahead of back-to-back games in the city. “Nice to be back in the squad and back in the team as well. Obviously, just making an impact with the new ball is what I was brought in to do. So it was nice to be able to do that and just feel good behind the ball again.”
Schutt, who is Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, took five wickets in six matches at last year’s World Cup in India. “I’ve no intentions on hanging around for another four years,” Schutt told ESPNcricinfo prior to the tournament. “Being able to have the chance to finish an ODI World Cup in India when that’s where I’ve kind of started my career is really cool.”
Her T20I role has also come into question ahead of the World Cup in England later this year after she did not play in any of the three matches against India. She admitted the decision had gone down especially well and it now remains to be seen if she can reclaim a spot on the tour of West Indies next month.
“Extra pace was the main one against the Indian side,” Schutt said when asked how the move was explained. “And I understand. It’s obviously disappointing sitting on the sidelines, but it’s part of the job that you do … you’ve still got to really support your team and run the drinks well and try not to be too sour about it.
“I had my moments with the coaching staff when I was told, but apart from that you crack on. It’s part of the job. And you’ve just got to take the chance when it comes.”
“She’s a good kid,” Schutt said. “She’s just got her head screwed on and I think when I was that age, I definitely did not. That’s probably the difference of the next generation coming through is they’ve got the work ethic, they’ve got the talent, but they’ve got the perspective too, which is really nice. And, obviously, the X-factor of the left [armer] coming into the squad is really awesome.”
