Megan Schutt fires up at ‘ironic’ England after Australia retain Women’s Ashes

Australian pace bowler Megan Schutt has blasted her Ashes rivals after the hosts sealed victory in the multi-format series, telling reporters “if there’s anyone we can put pressure on it’s England”.

Schutt took issue with England captain Heather Knight’s suggestion before the first ODI in Canberra on Thursday night that the Australians can crack under pressure , labelling the comments “ironic”.

Speaking after Australia’s bowlers successfully defended a below-par 205-9 by rolling the visitors for 178, Schutt said her side had risen to the Ashes occasion against a team they knew they could get at. “They came out in the media and they said something about us caving under pressure, which we thought was a bit ironic after they lost 6-27 in a Test,” she said.

“It’s just the Ashes ... every game comes to the wire. To come out and defend that total was pretty awesome from us. We knew that it wasn’t an easy wicket ... it was one of those targets that was gonna be hard for them to chase if we bowled well, and I think we did that.”

Schutt returned to Australia’s XI, after being omitted from the Test side to give her a longer break between matches and having recently had COVID-19. She picked up her 100th ODI wicket to become the second-fastest woman to reach that milestone behind Australia legend and former teammate Cathryn Fitzpatrick.

“I didn’t know that stat until Tahlia (McGrath) came up and gave me head rub and ruined my hair,” Schutt said. “It’s something I never thought I would achieve. I didn’t think I was going to play cricket that long and stick around in his side ... for me, that’s an awesome achievement.”

After pace partner Brown ripped through the English order with 4-34, Schutt said the Australians were poised to