Melbourne, Jan 12 (UNI) Seasoned campaigners Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen will return to Australia squad for the Women's Ashes series after having missed the multi-format series against India.
While pace spearhead Schutt had made herself unavailable for selection during India series due to personal reasons, spin bowling all-rounder Jonassen missed the assignment after suffering a bone stress injury in her tibia.
Along with Schutt and Jonassen, top-order batter Rachael Haynes also returns to the squad after she was ruled out of pink-ball Test and T20Is with a hamstring injury midway through the India series.
Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) announced the 15-player squad for the upcoming Ashes series against England.
The multi-format series will begin on January 20 with three T20 Internationals at Adelaide Oval, followed by the Test match at Manuka Oval in Canberra from January 27-30.
Manuka Oval will also host the first One-Day International, a day-night clash on February 3, while the remaining two ODIs will be played at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on February 6 and 8.
Across the series, teams will be awarded two points for each ODI and T20I win, while a Test win will be worth four points. If a match is drawn the points will be shared. The team that accumulates the most points at the end of the series will be awarded the Ashes.
"This was a tough selection process with so many players coming off strong WBBL tournaments, but we’re confident we’ve selected a balanced, all-round squad with players who can perform across all three formats," said Shawn Flegler, National Selector.

"It’s great to have Rachael Haynes and Megan Schutt back in the side having missed the India series due to personal reasons as well as Jess who’s recovered from a lower-leg injury; the experience those three bring to the side is invaluable during a series like the Ashes.

“The loss of Georgia Wareham to injury has presented Alana King with a great opportunity to show what she can do at this level and having improved in all facets of her game over the last few seasons, she’s well placed to play an important role in the series.

"As expected, Sophie Molineux will miss this series due to the stress fracture in her right foot that she suffered at the back end of the WBBL, but we’ll continue to monitor her in the lead up to the World Cup with the aim that’s she’s available for that tournament.
"While Georgia Redmayne, Stella Campbell, Maitlan Brown and Molly Strano have missed out from the India series due to a decrease in squad size, we know they’ll be able to lead the way with the ‘A’ side and will be able to slot straight into the side if the opportunity arises," Flegler added.
The NSP also announced the 15-player Australia A squad to face England A across three T20s and three 50-over fixtures which will run concurrently with the Ashes.
Australia squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck.
Australia A squad: Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Katie Mack, Georgia Redmayne (c), Courtney Sippel, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani, Georgia Voll, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
UNI PN