Lanning returns to lead Australia women against India

Melbourne [Australia], Feb 21 (ANI): Australian skipper Meg Lanning, who was out of action for seven months, is all set to return to international cricket as she will lead the 14-man ODI and T20I squads in the upcoming series against India.

The 25-year-pld played her last international match during the World Cup in July when Australia slumped to a 36-run defeat at the hands of India in semi-finals.

Lanning subsequently underwent shoulder surgery in August and was eventually forced to miss the Ashes series and Women Big Bash League (WBBL).

Reflecting on her return, national selector Shawn Flegler said that Lanning has been progressing really well from past few weeks and that they are confident that she would be completely fit in time to play first match against India.

"Meg's rehab has been progressing well, she's back to her old self with the bat and with a few weeks until the first match, we're confident she'll be right to play when the times comes," the ESPNcricinfo quoted Flegler, as saying.

While Lanning will resume captaincy, Rachael Haynes will serve as her deputy in both the formats after Alex Blackwell bid adieu to international cricket recently.

"Meg will resume the captaincy and we're extremely fortunate to have Rach as her deputy after doing a fantastic job as stand-in skipper during the Women's Ashes. She'll be a great sounding board for Meg and will continue to drive the standards of the team," Flegler said.

Meanwhile, all-rounders Sophie Molineux and Nicola Carey are also in line to make their international debuts after being included in the two squads.

Molineux represented the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL besides also being named the `Young Gun of the Year` during the third season after notching up 318 runs and picking up six wickets with an economy rate of 6.38.

Carey, on the other hand, had represented the Sydney Thunder, amassing just 149 runs from 10 innings in the WBBL but at an impressive strike rate of 126.27.

Australia will play two warm-up matches in Mumbai on March 6 and 8 before heading to Vadodara for the three-match ODI series, beginning March 12.

Australia women are then slated to play T20 tri-series featuring India and England.

The two squads are as follows:

ODI squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (vice-capt), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

T20 squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (vice-capt), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.(ANI)