The air of invincibility around Australia as they head into tournaments is such that the prospect of any opponent with hopes of standing in their way might seem like an exercise in futility from the outset. The eighth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins this week in South Africa, nears its kick-off hinged on a similar premise.
Five-time winners in the showpiece 20-over event, current holders of the ODI World Cup and inaugural Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Australia saunter into the tournament as firm favourites. Since the start of 2018, they have placed first at all major events, scripted record unbeaten streaks and blooded fresh talent like Alana King, Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland, who have gone on to quickly establish themselves as the future of the side and world cricket.
The only match Australia lost in the past 14 months was a cliffhanger in Navi Mumbai that culminated in India’s first super-over victory, in December last year. In their only assignment so far this year, Australia pummelled Pakistan on home soil across limited-overs formats. They rounded off their World Cup preparations with a thundering 2-0 victory in the three-match T20I leg of the contest, with the final game of the series washed out.
But almost against the run of play, an unexpected false step came just three days out from their T20 World Cup opener against New Zealand, scheduled for 11 February in Paarl. In their second and final warm-up, the women in green and gold suffered a three-wicket defeat at the hands of Ireland.
“We just got rolled by Ireland, so maybe they can stop that [favourites] tag,” Australia vice-captain Alyssa Healy said. She added there was “nothing too stressful” about result. “But, look, I am an honest believer that you don’t defend a World Cup; everybody comes here to win it. You’re not bringing the trophy in with you. We’re just approaching the tournament like that.”
Pooled in Group A alongside Commonwealth Games bronze medal winners New Zealand, hosts South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Australia are within reason to rely on pragmatism and perspective rather than their pedigree alone.
Battled-hardened through botched title defences not so long ago, their pursuit of a three-peat in T20 World Cups this month might feed off the fearlessness that has underpinned their resurgence since coming up short against West Indies and India in the final of 2016 T20 World Cup and the semi-final of the 2017 ODI World Cup, respectively.
Their tactical ferocity in the 20-over form that has been a staple since the 2016 T20 World Cup is most pronounced in their scoring rate, currently at an unrivalled 7.95 runs per over. With Healy batting against Ireland – she made a 40-ball 62 in what was her first innings since 17 December – the make-up of Australia’s likely XI is set to regain its menacing formidability.
The T20 World Cup also ushers in a new era on the leadership front for the team. The tournament will be Healy’s first as full-time deputy to Meg Lanning, having stepped into the shoes of recently retired Rachael Haynes. A refreshed Lanning, who came out of a five-month hiatus during the Pakistan series, is looking to take her storied career to greater heights, as will some of the other senior pros of her vintage, including Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen.
Yet a potential distraction for several of the Australian squad looms during the tournament with the Women’s Premier League auction taking place on 13 February. But if the mood in their camp is anything to go by, the thrill of going under the hammer might finish a close second to finishing atop the podium.
“The World Cup is the pinnacle of our sport,” Healy said. “A lot is made of the India rivalry and the Ashes series but the World Cup is the pinnacle and that’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to do a job and get that trophy back in our hands.
“Everything else that’s happening around the world at the moment is super exciting and everyone’s really chuffed about where the women’s game is at, but as soon as we pull on an Aussie shirt, we’re here for one focus and that’s to win a World Cup, so we’ll all come together for that.”
There are other unknowns to be tackled too – South Africa is relatively uncharted territory for Australia. The only ever assignment any Australian women’s side has had there is a solitary 50-over World Cup in 2005. The sole opportunity that arose subsequently for them to tour South Africa – a scheduled engagement comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is starting late-March in 2020 – was put paid to by the onset of Covid-19.
“We’ve never really been in South Africa before; only three girls in our squad have been here, so these conditions are new to us,” Healy said. “We’re going to have to learn to play them really quickly come Saturday night and just go out there and play as good cricket as we can for an extended period of time. That’s the only way you’re going to win a T20 World Cup.”
