Australia settled into a familiar role as the hunted across more than a decade of dominance that reaped six T20 world titles and a pair of 50-over trophies since 2010. But for the first time in more than seven years the once all-conquering team enter a women’s global showpiece without carrying the weight of either the T20 or ODI world crowns.
Captain Sophie Molineux has been eager to suggest in the build up to this year’s T20 World Cup that the lack of recent silverware means the pressure is off, the shackles have been released, and the team can play with a newfound freedom. More likely Australia have arrived in England with renewed hunger and a point to prove that they remain the primary force in women’s cricket.
Australia stole a march on the rest of women’s cricket with the early success of the WBBL. The depth of local talent was unrivalled across the globe and, along with the relative riches on offer, helped attract some of the biggest names from foreign lands to the domestic competition. As the shifting sands of international cricket have reached the women’s game, players are now just as likely to be pulled towards the T20 leagues of India and England.
A shock defeat to South Africa in the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup was the first sign that the gap between Australia and the chasing pack was finally starting to close. The loss to eventual champions India at the same stage of last year’s Cricket World Cup underlined that the benefits that come with local players regularly competing at closer to international standard would now be spread much wider.
Yet it would be no surprise if Australia lay down a marker when they meet South Africa in their tournament opener on Saturday. More importantly the winner of the high-stakes clash will move into a position of strength in a group that includes an a resurgent India. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Women’s T20 World Cup debutants the Netherlands make up the rest of the group of death. The last group game between Australia and India on 28 June will likely decide which teams will progress to face the top two from the alternate group that includes the hosts England and reigning champions New Zealand, and which of the three heavyweights are bundled out before the semi-finals.
Australia have only played 12 T20s since the last global tournament – the fewest of the leading contenders – winning 10 times but paying a price for the two defeats with a series loss at home to India in February. A clean sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean was a quick return to form and Australia have this month made a statement with commanding victories over South Africa, England and the West Indies in World Cup warm-up matches.
The six-time T20 world champions step out for a global tournament for the first time since the retirement of Alyssa Healy with all eyes fixed on the future. But the Molineux era has suffered from teething problems with the skipper hindered by a back issue and unable to even take the field at times in her new role let alone make an impact as an all-rounder.
The decision to hand the left-arm spinner the captaincy in all formats has also created a serious selection crunch. Australia have had to get used to managing the nicest of problems to have – genuine competition for places – but with Molineux leading the side and gamechanging all-rounder Ash Gardner another lock, leg-spinners Georgia Wareham and Alana King are left fighting for the same spot.
Wareham’s power hitting can be a weapon in the shortest format, though King has grasped her opportunities back in the T20 lineup and was player of the series against the West Indies in March. Where the quartet currently sits will be revealed when Australia’s women return to Old Trafford for the first time in 50 years for their tournament opener on a spin-friendly deck.
The batting lineup has hardly skipped a beat since Healy stepped away. Georgia Voll has overtaken opening partner Beth Mooney to be the No 1 ranked T20 batter in the world, while Phoebe Litchfield is a stalwart of the top order at the age of 23. Veteran Ellyse Perry and all-rounder Annabel Sutherland ensure the embarrassment of riches remains and leave the likes of Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris battling for middle-order spots. The left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton is the surest sign that the next generation is on their way as an exciting addition to an attack expected to largely turn to spin. But Australia will otherwise rely on the familiar core that became the benchmark in women’s cricket as they seek to reclaim their place as not just the team to beat but one to be feared.
