Australian swing bowler Megan Schutt is set to return to the field for the remainder of the Women's Ashes series after missing the recent Test match in Canberra.
As the third-ranked ODI bowler in the world at the present, reinjecting the 29-year-old after a recent Covid-19 diagnosis remains a simple decision for head coach Matthew Mott.
Still, with an array of in-form seamers at his disposal, the former Victoria and Queensland Sheffield Shield representative will be forced to make tough decisions.
Speaking ahead of the first of three ODIs to round out the series, Mott jested that Schutt was likely to take matters into her own hands if she was looked over at the selection table.
"She'd kill me if she didn't come back in for these three ODIs," Mott was quoted by cricket.com.au.
While sure to have been devastated about missing the Test thriller at Manuka Oval last weekend, Schutt was said to be in good spirits upon rejoining the roster.
"She's been fantastic around this decision (to miss the Test). We communicated pretty early that it wasn't going to be in her best interests," Mott continued.
"I think the medical team have worked on her really well.
"She'll definitely come back in for the first couple of ODIs and hopefully all three and hopefully lead that World Cup really well."
Schutt, alongside Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen, will be seen as certain starters for the day-night clash on February 3 in Canberra.
So, irrespective of their recent outputs this summer, at least two of Darcie Brown, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey and Alana King are likely to be left on the sidelines for the trio of short-form clashes.
However, Mott revealed that he was still some way from finalising his XI.
"I haven't even thought about it yet to be honest," Mott said of his line-up ahead of Thursday.
"It's going to be tough.
"We've been leaving good players out throughout the whole series.
"Even just seeing a couple of youngsters on the bench today who missed out on the Aussie A team (who played England A on Sunday), Phoebe Litchfield and Tess Flintoff … I'm just really excited about the depth that we've got.
"So it means for some unpopular decisions at times, but I'd rather be in that spot (than the alternative)."
With a 6-4 lead in the multi-formed series, Australia requires just one win to retain the Ashes.
The first ball of Thursday's ODI is set to be delivered at 2:10 local time at Manuka Oval.
