Pace trio have skipper excited for first women’s pink-ball Test

CAPTAIN Rachael Haynes has been buoyed by the form of the Australian seamers going into this week’s women’s Ashes cricket Test.

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

Batter Beth Mooney, left out of the team 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 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 earlier this year, but Haynes liked what she saw in Canberra.

“Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt were outstanding, really good pressure bowling throughout,” she said.

“Then we saw Lauren Cheatle 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.”

Schutt excelled in the ODI component, claiming 10 scalps across the three games, including four wicket hauls in the last two matches in Coffs Harbour.

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

“It is a little bit different perhaps to what it’s been in the past,” she said.

She took interest in England’s pink ball practice match against a Cricket Australia XI in Sydney, which was being played at the same time as the match in Canberra.

“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.” AAP