Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lanning: Harris has added 'another dimension' to Australia's T20 batting line-up

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Sunday, 22 January 2023 23:37
Grace Harris has been praised for having added "another dimension" to Australia's T20I batting line-up since returning to the side last year as she shapes up as a key figure in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Harris, who made her international debut in 2015, was recalled for the T20 leg of the Ashes last January, but through a combination of rain and the dominance of Australia's top order did not get to the middle until the opening Commonwealth Games match against India in late July.
She proceeded to make a game-changing 37 off 20 balls after walking in at 49 for 5 with Australia needing 155 and facing the prospect of defeat. Harris followed that with scores of 41, 27 not out and an unbeaten 64 off 35 balls in India.

That last innings came in a rollicking stand of 129 in 10.2 overs alongside Ashleigh Gardner with the duo providing tremendous power to a formidable batting line-up.

"Grace Harris, in particular, has come into our side and added another dimension to our batting line-up," captain Meg Lanning said ahead of the first T20I against Pakistan in Sydney. "She can go from ball one and regardless of when she comes in she is able to put the pressure back on the opposition. To pair her up with Ash Gardner, we feel like it sort of takes pressure off Ash in a way, it's not just reliant on her to come in and accelerate. To be fair, all our batters have been working on that."

Lanning will return to the T20I side on Tuesday, having missed the India tour while taking a break from the game. She is set to open against Pakistan alongside the prolific Beth Mooney, while Alyssa Healy continues her recovery from a calf strain.

"To see her do that over in India was great, and I think she will play a pivotal role for us moving through these T20s and in the World Cup as well"

Lanning on Ellyse Perry

Healy is on track to be available for the World Cup in South Africa where she will slot back in at the top of the order of what will shape as a fearsome batting line-up.

"[The Pakistan series] provides opportunities to people to come in and play a slightly different role… there are plenty of options, sometimes that make it a little more tricky," Lanning said. "It's going to be very difficult to make a decision on the final XI in every game. A lot of it will come down to match-ups and who we are coming up against."

Ellyse Perry will play a 'pivotal role' at the World Cup

That batting order can expect to include Ellyse Perry, who has rejuvenated her T20 game over the last six months. Against India, Perry struck at 160.19 in her three innings, bringing a new gear to her role in the middle order after having come under scrutiny in recent seasons amid the plethora of batting talent developing in the Australian game.

"Over in India, she came out and played in a different way to what she has in the past," Lanning said. "That game has always been there for her, but now she is confident to come out and dominate attacks, she can hit the ball as hard as anyone in world cricket.

"To see her do that over in India was great, and I think she will play a pivotal role for us moving through these T20s and in the World Cup as well. She can really dominate against spin in particular, so I'm excited to see what sort of a role she can play for us."

Legspinner Georgia Wareham is also making an international comeback after 18 months out with an ACL injury. She only returned to the WNCL this month but was named in the World Cup squad straightaway with Lanning saying she and fellow legspinner Alana King could feature in the same XI.

"It's so good to see Wolfie [Wareham] back, she's had a tough road over the last 18 months but she's a very important part of our team," Lanning said. "She brings a lot on the field in terms of every facet of the game."

Read 125 times

Soccer

Messi a doubt for Orlando game with injury knock

Messi a doubt for Orlando game with injury knock

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi will be evaluated ahead of Inter Miami's clash with Or...

Why Arsenal's Ødegaard deserves PFA Premier League POTY award

Why Arsenal's Ødegaard deserves PFA Premier League POTY award

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe debate over who will be crowned this Premier League season's PF...

Sources: Barça consider Simons, Guido signings

Sources: Barça consider Simons, Guido signings

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona are considering moves for Guido Rodríguez and Xavi Simons...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

'He showed up': How Nickeil Alexander-Walker's defense drives the Timberwolves

'He showed up': How Nickeil Alexander-Walker's defense drives the Timberwolves

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLATE IN GAME 4 of the Timberwolves' first-round series against the...

Tom Thibodeau finally found common cause with Knicks. Will it be enough?

Tom Thibodeau finally found common cause with Knicks. Will it be enough?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIT MUST BE liberating, in a way, for New York Knicks coach Tom Thib...

Baseball

Yankees' Clay Holmes (0.00 ERA!) has become MLB's best closer

Yankees' Clay Holmes (0.00 ERA!) has become MLB's best closer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Yankees' bullpen, after posting the lowest ERA in the...

Mets' Senga: Need more time before rehab stint

Mets' Senga: Need more time before rehab stint

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Kodai Senga, who has yet to pitch this season for the N...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated