Mercury (Hobart)

Striker Megan Schutt withdraws from opening rounds of WBBL

- LIZ WALSH

ADELAIDE Strikers spearhead Megan Schutt has pulled out of the opening rounds of the Women’s Big Bash League in Tasmania as she continues to care for newborn baby Rylee at home in South Australia.

Schutt, the world’s No. 3 T20 bowler, has also sat out the most recent Australian series against India played in Queensland, after Rylee was born 12 weeks premature in Adelaide in August.

The seventh season of the WBBL begins on Thursday, with Strikers players heading to Tasmania on Monday morning to prepare for their opening game against reigning champions Sydney Thunder under lights in Hobart this weekend.

Schutt – who was likely to have been named Strikers captain in the absence of longstandi­ng skipper, Kiwi allrounder Suzie Bates – brought baby Rylee home from hospital on Friday, six weeks after she’d been born via emergency Caesarian at 28 weeks, weighing only 858g.

The 28-year-old said she needed time to settle in at home with her newborn daughter.

“I need to be here for (my wife) Jess and be here for Rylee … not going to Hobart was a very easy decision,” she said.

“I’ve been super clear with coaching staff the whole time and they are obviously very supportive of me and my situation and they know that it’s very unique.

“Rylee’s still not meant to be born for another four weeks, so it’s still a unique journey in itself, even just her coming home from hospital.”

Schutt will miss the side’s opening four games against the Thunder, Melbourne Renegades, Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat.

But she said she’ll be cheering them on her teammates from Adelaide. “It’s going to be strange, watching the girls, I’ll admit, and hopefully they can smash it in Hobart,” she said.

 ?? ?? Strikers Megan Schutt. Picture Phil Hillyard
Strikers Megan Schutt. Picture Phil Hillyard

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