New Delhi, Oct 6 (NationPress) Australian women’s team head coach Shelley Nitschke hailed pacer Megan Schutt as the ‘ultimate professional’ following her reaction to being excluded from the playing XI for the World Cup opener against New Zealand.

Though it was anticipated that Schutt would be part of the squad for the subsequent game against Sri Lanka, the encounter was ultimately abandoned due to heavy rain, leaving the pacer waiting for her chance to play.

Nitschke, however, refrained from confirming if Schutt would have participated in that cancelled match, as Darcie Brown was selected over her for the game against New Zealand.

“She is undoubtedly the ultimate professional and handled it exceptionally well. We assessed the match-ups and recent performances, but I certainly recognize that Megan has a significant role for us as we progress,” Nitschke stated in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.

“We’ll review the match-ups and conditions at Premadasa again before facing Pakistan, to ensure she fits into the best team configuration for a potential victory,” she added.

Australia's upcoming fixture at the Women's World Cup is set against Pakistan at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, following a week-long break.

Importantly, Schutt has taken 10 wickets in nine ODIs against Pakistan, although she did not take any wickets in the last two home matches between the nations earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Brown has claimed five wickets over two matches, with impressive figures of 2 for 21 and 3 for 32 in Brisbane. However, she also struggled, conceding 52 runs in four overs during the World Cup opener against New Zealand.

Currently, Australia sits second on the points table of the eight-nation tournament with three points from two matches. They celebrated a win in their first game, while both Australia and Sri Lanka received a point each after their match was called off.

vi/bc