Cricket Australia (CA) has handed a two-match suspension to their veteran pacer Megan Schutt for breaching the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Guidelines relating to the use of prescription medication. The prescription medication she used was not meant to enhance her performance. The prescription medication was taken during an off-period before the series against Bangladesh. CA saw it as a one-off incident but chose not to take the breach lightly.
"The breach was a failure to adhere to requirements under the Sports Science and Sports Medicine guidelines with regard to prescription medication," CA said in a statement.
"This relates to a single incident which occurred while out of competition and was not for performance enhancing purposes.
"The two-match ban includes all international and domestic cricket.
"We will continue to provide appropriate support to Megan and reinforce the standards and responsibilities expected of everyone representing our game."
Schutt will miss the third and final T20I of the series against New Zealand. Also, she will miss Adelaide Strikers’ domestic Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 against Melbourne Stars on October 31.
Schutt has accepted CA's two-match suspension and apologised for her error in judgment.
"I fully accept the penalty handed down and apologise for failing to meet the standards expected of me," Schutt said. "I'm sorry for the attention this has caused and appreciate the support I've received.
"While this occurred out of competition and was not performance related, I understand that I am responsible for following the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Guidelines, which players receive regular education on and I should have adhered to these guidelines."
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Schutt wreaked havoc against Bangladesh
Schutt has not played a single game in the ongoing three-T20I series against New Zealand. After taking the prescription medicine, she was in sublime form in the ODI series against Bangladesh, taking 10 wickets, including two consecutive four-wicket hauls. She also turned up for South Australia in their Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) game, where she took two wickets for 19 runs.
"Pretty nice. I did enjoy bowling here. They are all right. I was trying to push and see how many I could get. Good to keep going and finish off (my spell)," Megan said about bowling 10 overs on the trot after she was named 'Player of the series'.
"We have spoken for years about the depth in the team. There is no panic. Plenty of talent on the bench, which is awesome. I feel every bit of 33, and I will wake up sore tomorrow."
The performances helped Megan move up in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers. She went past her teammate Sutherland to take the fourth spot below top-placed Alana King and England's Sophie Ecclestone and Australia all-rounder Gardner.
Her previous T20I appearance was against Bangladesh in Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Bangladesh. She warmed the bench as Australia went on to win their seventh T20 World Cup title.
In the ICC T20I bowler rankings, she has slipped three places due to her absence from the playing eleven. She is now placed 21st.
When will Schutt be back in action?
Schutt will be available for selection for Adelaide Strikers' second match of the WBBL 2026 season. The Strikers' second match is against the Brisbane Heat on November 5 in Sydney.
In international cricket, Schutt will be available for selection for the ODI series against Sri Lanka in December. Australia will tour Sri Lanka for a three-ODI series which will be held from December 15 to December 20.
Schutt has a good record in Sri Lankan conditions. In four ODIs, she has taken five wickets at an average of 16. Her economy rate stays well below four in Sri Lanka.
Schutt's performances in 2026
In the ongoing calendar year, Schutt has claimed 13 wickets from six ODIs at an average of 13.38. Her economy rate has been an impressive 3.34 runs per over.
She has played three T20Is in 2026 and taken just one wicket.
Schutt's fantastic record
Schutt is Australia's leading wicket-taker in T20Is. From 126 T20Is, she has claimed 152 wickets at an average of 17.48, including one five-wicket haul and four four-fers.
In ODIs, Schutt is Australia's second-highest wicket-taker. The 33-year-old has taken 158 wickets from 114 ODIs, averaging 23.07. She has a fifer and seven four-wicket hauls in the format. Among Aussies, only Perry is ahead of her. The all-rounder has 167 wickets from 171 ODIs.
Megan is also Adelaide Strikers' second-highest wicket-taker in the WBBL. She is among five bowlers to take 150 wickets in WBBL history. From 142 games, she has 150 wickets at an average of 21.14, including a fifer and two four-fers.
How Australia performed in first 2 T20Is vs New Zealand without Schutt?
In the series opener, the White Ferns posted 162/2. Georgia Plimmer scored an unbeaten 68-ball 85. She shared an unbeaten 127-run partnership with Maddy Green who scored 56 runs from 37 deliveries. Only Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland managed to take a wicket each. Lucy Hamilton was expensive as she conceded 23 runs from two overs. Nicola Carey bowled just one over and went for 11 runs.
Australia huffed and puffed to a two-wicket win with seven balls to spare. Experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry starred with a 30-ball 52 in the run chase.
In the second T20I, Ashleigh Gardner's 45-ball 84 took Australia to 167/7. Spinners Gardner and Georgia Wareham did the job for the hosts, taking three and two wickets, respectively. Among pacers, Sutherland was wicketless and conceded 34 runs. Garth and Hamilton were economical, taking a wicket each.
For the third T20I, Schutt is unavailable for selection. The selectors have not named a replacement. The Sophie Molineux-led Australia would look to complete a series whitewash.
Australia vs New Zealand squads for T20I series:
Australia: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt.
New Zealand: Georgia Plimmer, Flora Devonshire, Melie Kerr (c), Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Polly Inglis (wk), Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Bree Illing, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson, Bella James, Hannah Rowe.