Highlands cricketer Lauren Cheatle has landed an unexpected Ashes call-up as one of six Breakers named to take on World Cup winners England this summer.
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The young left-armer joins South Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath in the squad, both having recently returned from injury.
A shoulder injury sidelined Cheatle for six months this year and cost her a spot at that tournament, but she returned for the Breakers on the weekend to push her Ashes claims.
She was wicketless through seven overs against Victoria but selectors saw enough of the 18-year-old to bring her back into the Australian squad.
"It's good to see Lauren Cheatle come back from injury, she bowled well on the weekend, and she's still got a couple of weeks to go before that first ODI," national selector Shawn Flegler said.
"We've got good coverage across all bowling options.
"We certainly would have loved to see bowlers put their hands up and take five fas and demand selection.
We didn't see that over the weekend but we still think we've got bowlers who can do roles that they'll need to do during the ODIs, the Test match and the T20s that will come after that."
Cheatle played all 16 games of WBBL01 taking 18-wickets before making her international debut against India in January 2016.
In the Australia Women’s Ashes ODI squad, Cheatle will be joined by fellow NSW players Alex Blackwell, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry.
In the Australia Women’s Ashes test sqaud, she will be joined by Belinda Vakarewa, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes and Alex Blackwell.
A squad of 14 was picked for the three ODIs against the world number one team, which begin on October 22 in Brisbane.
It has been a big year for Cheatle, who recently moved from the Sydney Thunder to the Sydney Sixes.
“She played a big part in us winning the inaugural WBBL and has a bright future ahead of her and we wish her all the best,” Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon said.
Cheatle has signed a multi-year contract with the Sixers after spending the first two seasons of the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder.