Tahlia McGrath handed contract as CA builds cover for Ellyse Perry

Cricket Australia has loaded up on allrounders as cover for the injured Ellyse Perry in its contracted players for 2020-21.

With no gurantee Ellye Perry will be fit for the Womens’ World Cup in 2021, Cricket Australia has packed its new list of contracted players with allrounders. Picture: Getty Images

Cricket Australia has loaded up on allrounders as cover for the injured Ellyse Perry, even though the side’s next major assignment — the 50-over World Cup — doesn’t start for eight months.

The selectors have added South Australian allrounder Tahlia McGrath to a contracts list already packed with players proficient in more than one discipline.

In uncertain times, and amid speculation over the state of its finances, CA surprisingly expanded its list of contracted players from 14 to 15 to provide insurance should 29-year-old Perry not be fully fit whenever cricket resumes.

It’s a sign there might be concerns about Perry returning to full fitness, even though the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand doesn’t start until February.

Perry missed the T20 World Cup finals in March with a serious hamstring injury, joining explosive quick Tayla Vlaeminck on the sidelines.

South Australian allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been awarded a contract in Cricket Australia’s list for 2020-21. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

CA bolstered its bowling depth with allrounders McGrath and Annabel Sutherland in its 2020/21 contracted players list, released on Thursday.

As well as moving to a 50-over footing, the selectors have tailored their squad for the local conditions. McGrath’s ability to swing the new ball was a factor in her elevation.

Women’s 50-over cricket uses a ball at each end, so swing and movement off the pitch will be important — if not decisive — on the seamer-friendly pitches of New Zealand.

“It was really great to make that call to Tahlia,” women’s national selector Shawn Flegler said.

“She’s worked extremely hard for a number of years. She’s been a consistent performer in domestic cricket.

“Particularly with Ellyse (Perry) having that long-term injury, Tahlia comes into the mix as a bowling allrounder.”

Such was Perry’s class, Flegler said she could be picked to bat in the middle order and not be required to bowl her full complement of overs, or even bowl at all.

On Wednesday Perry ended speculation she would sign for a Melbourne WBBL franchise by re-signing with Sydney Sixers.

Flegler had no issue with her and Vlaeminck going into the World Cup with only WBBL games under their belts.

“We don’t want to risk them,” Flegler said.

“Particularly with Tayla. She’s still a young athlete.

“We think of her as a Formula One car. She’s always on the edge, the way she bowls, so we’ve got to be really careful how we manage her.

“Tayla’s a game-changer, the way she bowls.”

Vlaeminck, McGrath and Sutherland were the only additions to the contracts list.

Sutherland, 18, was awarded a contract after playing six T20Is during the Australian summer.

Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani were the players from last year’s list who were omitted on Thursday, while Erin Burns and Molly Strano were among those overlooked.

Players not awarded contracts can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points through the season. They get four points for playing a Test match, two for an ODI and two for a T20I.

Contracts list: Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.