The more cricket the better for Australia’s star-studded women’s team

The departure of long-time coach Matthew Mott isn’t about to slow down the success and momentum of a busy Australian women’s cricket team.

Captain Meg Lanning (left) celebrates with Jonassen after Australia’s 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup final win over England. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Having demanded more cricket, Australia’s all-conquering women’s team is relishing a hectic upcoming schedule which will culminate with the T20 World Cup in February in South Africa.

The program starts in July with a three-nation T20 series in Ireland, and includes the first ever Commonwealth Games T20 women’s tournament, as well as a host of other white-ball series in Australia and overseas, plus domestic WNCL and WBBL commitments.

“We’ve been asking for more cricket for a number of years, and now that it’s finally on our doorstep … it has its challenges with time away from home, but we’re cricketers, we’re paid to play cricket and I know a lot of us would be playing every day of the year if we could physically and mentally do that,” star all-rounder Jess Jonassen said.

“I think the amount of cricket that we’re playing now is a testament to the professionalisation of the sport and particularly of the women’s cricket program as well.

“It’s really exciting. We’ve got a T20 tri-series in Ireland to prepare for that T20 Commonwealth Games stint, so everyone’s really excited that it’s a first for the women’s game and hopefully we can bring home a Commonwealth Games gold medal.

“It’s obviously a really exciting time for the women’s game, and I’m just really fortunate to be a part of it.”

Shelley Nitschke has taken charge of the Australian women’s cricket team following the departure of long-time coach Matthew Mott. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Jonassen was confident the world champions’ success would continue at all levels despite the departure of Australia’s long-time coach, Matthew Mott, who recently quit to take charge of the England men white-ball teams.

Mott has been replaced as coach in the interim by former Australian all-rounder Shelley Nitschke.

“The team is in a really good position to be able to continue developing and whether that’s from new voices, new coaches, we’re fortunate that Shelley has been in the program for a number of years now as well,” Jonassen said.

“She’s also played in the program, so to be able to have that insight from her … she’s an exceptional coach and a really good people person as well, which is something that ‘Motty’ was also. He was able to manage people very well.

“We wish him all the best in the England set-up, but we don’t want him to do too well.”

Originally published as The more cricket the better for Australia’s star-studded women’s team