Seamers impress captain ahead of Test

AUSTRALIAN captain Rachael Haynes has been buoyed by the form of her seamers heading into this week’s crucial women’s Ashes cricket Test.

The Test aspirants got some pink ball practise last weekend in a three-day match between Australia and an ACT XI in Canberra.

Batter Beth Mooney, who was left out of the Australian side for the three one- day Ashes games, boosted her chances of a first Test appearance by scoring 118.

Her effort was hailed by Haynes along with those of established strike bowlers Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt and rising young quick Lauren Cheatle. The Australian pace attack was not impressive in the World Cup in England ear- lier this year, but Haynes liked what she saw in Canberra.

“Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt were outstanding as well, really good pressure bowling throughout the innings.” Haynes said.

“Then we saw Lauren Cheatle as well finish really well, so I think there’s some really good signs heading into the Test. I thought our seamers particularly in that second innings did a really good job.

“I think there’s a couple of things that we’ll probably keep in house that we want to try and use throughout the Test.”

Schutt excelled in the ODI component of the series, claiming 10 scalps across the three games.

Haynes wants to have a good look at the North Sydney wicket before deciding on the final composition of her Test attack.

“It is a little bit different per- haps to what it’s been in the past,” Haynes said.

She admitted to taking some interest in England’s pink ball practice match against a Cricket Australia XI in Sydney, being played at the same time as the Canberra match.

“We kept a sneaky eye on it. I’m sure they kept a sneaky eye on our game too,” Haynes said.

“You can’t help it really. In the middle of a series, you want to see what’s going on.”