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'Schutt is setting benchmark for bowlers around the world' - Australia coach

Cricket

Opening bowler Megan Schutt is setting the benchmark for bowlers around the world in limited-overs cricket, and that has reflected in the rankings, feels Australia coach Matthew Mott.

Schutt is the No. 1 bowler in the ICC rankings for women's T20Is, on 669 points and well clear of the second-placed Poonam Yadav of India, who has 611 points. In ODIs, Schutt's compatriot Jess Jonassen is No. 1 with 676 points, and Schutt is not far behind on second spot with 667.

"I think she's almost the benchmark for bowlers around the world and that shows in the world rankings," Mott told cricket.com.au. "She was challenged a lot by the way the batters have come at her over the last year or so and she's been prepared to take a step back, analyse the game and work out some options."

Mott said Schutt had learned to master changes of pace, and with all teams building up to the Women's World T20 in the Caribbean in November, he threw down a challenge to the opponents.

"[Her options include] taking the pace off the ball earlier, being more bold and aggressive with those changes of pace, and you can see the dividends paid off in India," Mott said. "Teams are aware of her and it will be interesting to see if they come harder at her now, or look to see her off."

At the start of the year, in three ODIs that were part of the ICC Women's Championship, Schutt had an economy rate of 3.87 in India - the best in the series while bowling 29.4 overs and taking four wickets. In the T20I tri-series that followed and also involved England, Schutt topped the wickets and economy rate charts, taking nine wickets in five matches and conceding runs at only 6.28 per over.

Australia will play New Zealand in three T20Is in September and October before the World T20, and Mott said the entire bowling group had learned to stay ahead of the batsmen, and would be using the time at home to hone their skills further.

"We improved last series in terms of when teams were coming hard at us, that we were able to just absorb that pressure a bit," Mott said. "One thing you can't have is to just let it all go. We know batters are going to hit boundaries and they've got power and there's only four fielders out, so it's difficult.

"You can't hedge your bets as a bowling group, but there are certainly ways you can try and get ahead of the batter and get them guessing a bit more. I don't want to give too many secrets away but that's certainly something our bowling group has researched quite diligently and we're looking forward to practicing here before taking it overseas."

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