Lauren Cheatle aims for Aussie ODI series win over New Zealand

After 18 months on the sidelines through injury, young quick Lauren Cheatle is keen to help the Aussie girls secure the One Day Series against New Zealand.

Lauren Cheatle of Australia during the Australia v New Zealand One-Day International Series training session at the WACA on February 21. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

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Lauren Cheatle was the youngest woman to make the NSW Breakers squad when she was just 16.

But since the lofty heights of her teenage years, the now 20-year-old’s career has been blighted by injuries.

But the Bowral girl, who lines up for the Campbelltown Camden Ghosts in the Sydney women’s cricket competition, is determined to push on in her career.

Lauren Cheatle (left) and Jess Jonassen of Australia celebrate after winning the women's One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA in Perth on February 22, 2019. Picture: Richard Wainwright

After overcoming illness and a series of injuries she turned out for Australia on Sunday in the final match of their One Day International series against New Zealand.

It’s an opportunity the young left-handed quick bowler wasn’t even thinking about at the start of the season, having only played one game in 18 months prior to this.

Sixers' Lauren Cheatle celebrates the wicket of Renegades' Amy Satterthwaite caught Hayley Silver-Holmes during a WBBL match between the Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The first of Cheatle’s setbacks came during the 2016-2017 Big Bash season when illness struck, putting her out for much of the season before injuring her shoulder in training with the Australian squad.

After shoulder surgery following her ODI debut in February 2017, medical staff discovered stress fractures in her back.

She has since rediscovered her fitness and form with the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League and the NSW Breakers in their successful National Women’s Cricket League campaign as well as helping lead a young Ghosts team to the top of the ladder in the Sydney

competition.

Cheatle said she had no illusions of forcing her way back into the Australian squad at the start of the season.

“People ask me quite a bit and I genuinely wasn’t (thinking about Australian selection) … My goal was always the next game and staying fit,” she said.

“I just wanted to make it through the year without any disruption.”

Cheatle was given three overs in the first game of the series against NZ and is hoping to make her mark in the final match to cement her spot in the national squad.

“It was nice to put that Green and Gold back on again,” she said.

“We’re coming up to our leave period and then after that is the Ashes in the UK in June and July.

“It would be exciting if I could make that team … the selectors have done a good job of keeping an eye on everyone’s scores and I’m hoping I’m in contention.”

While she is off representing Australia, Cheatle’s Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts teammates will be looking to secure the minor premiership at the same time.

“I’ve loved playing with the Ghosts and it’s a great group of young girls; I think we are the second-youngest team in the competition so to be where we are is quite an achievement,” she said.

“They’re all super excited.

“I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on their score.”