Lanning, McGrath punishes the Irishman, Schutt gets a milestone in a big win
Tahlia McGrath’s transformation into one of Australia’s most dangerous T20 weapons is such that even she can hardly believe the run she’s been on since her debut last year.
McGrath, fresh from a match-winning 70 for 45 against Ireland on Thursday, seemed surprised to learn that the match was the first time she had been dismissed in a T20I, and that her batting average in the format currently stands at a good level 247.
“There it is…not bad!” McGrath laughed in typically humble fashion.
Since winning his first T20I cap against India in October 2021 in Gold Coast, McGrath’s scores in the four matches he has batted in make very impressive reading: 42no, 44no, 91no and 70.
Named player of the match in each of the four matches, McGrath says the depth of Australia’s batting unit allows her to play with complete freedom, as does her genuine love and appreciation for hurling the green and gold.
‘A bit of fun’: McGrath revels in the freedom of the T20 format
“The thing about the T20 format for me is that there is a lot of freedom,” he said.
“I feel like when I get to the crease, I’ve been given a license to play my shots and I know if I don’t get it right, the talent we have is huge.
“I love playing for Australia, it doesn’t matter where I am, whether I’m batting (or) what role I’m playing.
“The fact that I’m going to play in a Commonwealth Games is really, really exciting and it’s not something I thought I’d be doing.
“So at the moment I’m just riding the wave, loving my cricket and hopefully (I’ll have) a gold medal soon.”
McGrath, who combined with captain Meg Lanning for a 140-run partnership on Thursday, compiled a free-flowing innings that was a mixture of trademark drives as well as a series of impeccably timed reverse sweeps that they left Ireland’s bowlers and fielders struggling. .
With the sense of calm that Lanning’s presence imparts to McGrath in the middle, he saw an opportunity to be creative.
“I’ve been working backwards a bit and then I thought (it was the) perfect opportunity to try something, so I tried it,” McGrath explained.
“Luckily he came out today, maybe he didn’t come out all the time but he did today.
“I love batting with Meg and if there’s one shot I can steal from anyone, it’s to take her legs out for six, she’s amazing.
“I always feel so calm whenever I’m at the crease with her. She just makes things happen, the markers always work when I’m batting with her.”
McGrath also paid tribute to fellow South Australian Megan Schutt, who became the second Australian bowler, male or female, to reach 100 T20 international wickets.
Schutt, who has reached 100 scalps from 77 innings, is the second fastest woman to reach the milestone behind Anya Shrubsole (74) and the sixth woman overall to take 100 T20I wickets.
“We’re pretty close as a (South Australian) crew, we hit it off a lot all the time we’re together, but I’m sure she’ll let us all know it’s 100 wickets. She likes to brag about it. of things,” McGrath laughed.
“He definitely flies under the radar. He’s a crucial part of our team and he’s really good at taking the new bowlers under his wing and helping them and passing on his knowledge.”
Tour of Australia to UK, 2022
Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington
T20 Tri-Series
Ireland squad: Laura Delany (c), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron
Pakistan Team: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gul Feroza, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan
July 16: Australia v Pakistan: No result
July 17: Australia defeated Ireland by nine wickets
July 19: Pakistan beat Ireland by 13 runs (DLS)
July 21: Australia defeat Ireland by 63 runs
July 23: Australia v Pakistan
July 24: Ireland v Pakistan
All matches start at 16:00 local time (1:00 AEST) and will be played at Bready Cricket Club, Derry, Northern Ireland
Australia’s T20 tri-series matches will be broadcast in Australia by Foxtel and Kayo Sports, while the Pakistan-Ireland matches can be watched live here
2022 Commonwealth Games
July 29 vs India (11:00 local time, 20:00 AEST)
31 July v Barbados (6pm local, 3am 1 August AEST)
3 August vs Pakistan (11:00am local, 20:00pm AEST)
Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados
Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka
Semi-finals: 6 August, 11.00am local (20.00 AEST) and 6.00pm local (3.00am 7 August AEST)
Bronze medal match: 7 August, 10am local (7pm AEST)
Gold Medal Match: 7 August, 5pm local (2am 8 August AEST)
All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium