Ellyse Perry will do everything in her power to comeback as an allrounder, says Matthew Mott

Australia coach Matthew Mott says they will continue to pick their strongest eleven with the immediate goal of winning the Rose Bowl trophy against New Zealand starting at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Saturday (October 3).



“We always work from World Cup to World Cup. So, any games we get in in this period is invaluable and especially against quality opposition that we're coming up against. (In) this series, we won't look to experiment and we'll pick our best eleven,” said Mott during a media interaction on Friday (October 1).



Australia currently hold the record of winning the most number of consecutive ODIs in women's cricket with an 18-match winning streak and could equal the overall record held by their men's side during 2003 if they whitewash New Zealand in the Rose Bowl series.



“It's (the winning streak) not something we really talk about much as a group. We just try and play each game in isolation. We won’t prepare any differently. We want to win the Rose Bowl. We've come in with that single goal in mind and if we create history along the way that's great. All runs come to an end at some point. But what we've really come here to do is to win this Rose Bowl.”



“We won the T20 series, which we're proud of, but to beat the quality of opposition after such a break, that's our main motivation, is to win that first game and then try and secure it.”



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Pace bowling allrounder Delissa Kimmince could be in doubt for the first match of the series as she is nursing a hamstring injury. Australia is looking at one from the trio of Belinda Vakarewa, Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland to replace her if she doesn't recover in time for the match.



“We've got a little bit of a niggle with Delissa Kimmince from the T20 series so she's in a bit of doubt. But other than that, everyone else is going to be available for selection from here on in and it's going to be tough team to select,” he said.



“We've had a few discussions about it. There are a number of contenders. Belinda Vakarewa obviously (has) done really well and Meg (Meg Lanning) was impressed with her in the practice match and Annabel Sutherland probably comes in there into the reckoning as well as another allrounder coming in. We're blessed with some good options there. Tahlia McGrath is another one who's impressed and obviously on contract this year."



"Well, it's obviously disappointing for Delissa, personally, bowling well and performing. But we've certainly got plenty of options to cover that.”



Speaking about Ellyse Perry, who is ruled out of the series having reinjured her hamstring, Mott admitted that they would consider playing her as a pure batter in the future, quickly adding that Perry is determined to make a comeback as a genuine allrounder in the long term.



Delissa Kimmince is in doubt for the opening ODI of the series. ©Getty Images



“Ellyse is very determined to come back as a genuine allrounder. She's worked incredibly hard in that break. She’s not been available realistically. She was always going to struggle to be available for that series, given how dramatic that injury was. And she'll do everything she can to come back as a genuine allrounder,” he said.



“In the short-term we are talking about the possibility of that role coming back a bit in the Big Bash. Definitely in the long-term, she wants to bowl fast and she is doing everything in her training to get back to that level. She could easily hold a spot as a batter alone, but as an allrounder, she's absolutely instrumental in a lot of the success that we've had.”



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The head coach also said Rachael Haynes will continue to open the batting in the 50-over format despite the form Beth Mooney has been in and added that Mooney has been excellent for them in the middle order in ODIs.



“We tend to stick with the same formula for our one-day cricket, so that won't change too much. We're probably a little less dynamic with the batting order in in one day cricket - we tend to get a bit more structure,” Mott added.



“Rachel Haynes hasn't put a foot wrong at the top of the in ODI cricket and really deserves that opportunity. And Beth (is) such a great middle order player for us in ODIs."



"You could literally throw a coin, but we agonized over that more because we are blessed with two great options. But definitely Rach should open now.”



With all the matches being played at the Allan Border Field it is understood that the same strip that was used for the T20I series will be used for the ODIs as well. Mott reckons spin will play a big part in the series and they will look to balance their attack keeping that in mind.



Matthew Mott maintained that Rachael Haynes will continue to open the batting for Australia. © Getty Images



“I think as the series goes on, we play on the same wicket again for another three matches. Obviously, I think spin will be a key in this. So, we'll balance our attack around that. And the Kiwis know that's coming as well,” said the head coach.



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Mott, who has been coaching the side since 2015, had a special word of appreciation for left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux who bagged the player of the match award in the second T20I for her bowling figures of 2 for 17.



“Since Soph's come back, she has been bowling extremely well and Meg goes to her under pressure. Her and JJ (Jess Jonassen), whilst both left-arm orthodox, are incredibly different and actually complement each other so well,” he said.



“She'll obviously get more of an opportunity to bat as well. I think she's ready to go. She's in a really good frame of mind and adds a lot of value to our team. I think that the one-day format actually suits her even better. She can turn the ball; she can beat both sides of the bat. We're excited about what she can bring to the team.”



Mott also lauded allrounder Ashliegh Gardner for the maturity she showed in the T20Is. He believes her game has evolved over the years and sees herself as one of the leaders in the group even though she is a young player. Gardner was named the player of the series for her batting efforts that included a match-winning 61 in the opening game of the series.



“Her evolution has been incredible. She knows she's a young player, she's got a lot to learn, but she just sees herself as a leader in that group. She was really disappointed yesterday that she didn't go on and make that match-winning contribution that she set herself up for. So hopefully she can do that in this series and as far as being a back-end finisher for us in this format, she's one of the most feared batters in the world,” Mott concluded.