Aussies Gamble On Rachael To Take Ashes Lead

FULL points for boldness. To replace Meg Lanning, Australia’s women have opted to go into the Ashes with a captain not in their best XI for the World Cup, and who has been in national exile for the better part of four years.

- Adam Collins

The new skipper is Rachael Haynes, who wore the armband in Lanning’s absence on two occasions during that World Cup, but was surplus to requirements at all other times when the full-time captain was fit. In doing so, the left-handed batsman, a veteran of 66 internationals after debuting in 2009, has again leapfrogged vice-captain Alex Blackwell into the top job. Haynes told the media she found out last week she would have responsibility for the group against the old enemy, a month after Lanning was ruled out due to a serious shoulder operation.

Haynes did not play for Australia in any form between 2013 and this February, returning then with a half-century against New Zealand. Picked for her second World Cup, the 30-year old made 28 against Pakistan and was caught and bowled without scoring against South Africa.