Haynes open to batting shift

Rachael Haynes has responded enthusiastically to Meg Lanning’s suggestions that she’s a prime candidate to accompany Alyssa Healy at the top of Australia’s batting order later this month.

With regular one-day opener Nicole Bolton unavailable for the upcoming one-day series against New Zealand, Haynes says she would gladly take the chance to open should it come her way.

“I think one of the best things about our side is we’ve got quite a few openers within our group,” Haynes told cricket.com.au.

“There could be any number of players who end up doing it.

“I’d jump at the opportunity if I was given the chance, but by the same token we’ve got Beth (Mooney) there as well who’s done it in the past.”

Opening the batting is a role Haynes herself has also experience in, both at an international and domestic level.

Most recently, she struck 79 at the top of the NSW Breakers’ order to steer them towards a historic 20th WNCL title – a timely display ahead of the Rose Bowl series.

It’s been a while, however, since Haynes has opened the batting on the international stage.

Tasked to open during Australia’s successful 2013 World Cup campaign in India, she finished the tournament with an average of 45.5, reached her second highest ODI score of 83 against South Africa and was named in the Team of the Tournament.

The 2013 Ashes series a few months later, however, didn’t prove as fruitful. The two ODI fixtures against England saw Haynes out for a duck and the end of that series signalled the

Now an Ashes-winning skipper, vice-captain of the victorious T20 World Cup Australian team and one of its most consistent performers, it’s been a remarkable renaissance for Haynes.

“My life has certainly changed over the last couple of years, but it’s been such an incredible time to be a part of,” the 32-year-old said on Thursday at the launch of the Grassroots Cricket Fund, which will pump $30 million into cricket clubs around the country.

“I’m really thankful to all the people that helped me along the way from my club, Sydney Cricket Club in NSW, from Cricket NSW who encouraged me to hang in there and have another go at breaking into the Australian team.”

“It’s been quite a journey and to think that within that time I’ve had the opportunity to captain the team and now vice-captain alongside Meg, it’s been pretty special.

“And hopefully I can continue it for some time to come.”

Having lived through the rapid growth of the women’s game, Haynes is also relishing the opportunity to nurture young talent coming through the ranks.

“I think as senior players within the team, we want to make sure our younger players feel as comfortable as possible,” she said.

“It’s a really good fun team to be a part of. We’ve had some really good success over the last period as well, so I think everyone’s really keen to continue along that vein and this series against NZ will be no different.”