‘There was a time when I didn’t think I’d play any’: Beth Mooney brings up the ton for Australia

Australian cricket stalwart Beth Mooney is set to play her 100th women’s T20 International when the Aussies take on New Zealand on Sunday evening.

Beth Mooney of Australia looks on during game one of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand at Great Barrier Reef Arena. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

An icon of Australian cricket will celebrate a major milestone in style on Sunday evening, as Beth Mooney makes her 100th women’s T20 appearance for her country.

Mooney has been a consistent presence in the Australian team for over eight years, having success across all three formats of the game, and said she was excited to bring up the century milestone at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena.

“It’s nice to even play one game for Australia. There was probably a time when I didn’t think I was going to play any, so to play 100 is very special,” Mooney said.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given by the selectors and coaches along the way. Hopefully it’s another win for Australia (in game two).”

Mooney will certainly have fond memories of this ground, having brought up a century with the bat at GBR Arena back in 2021 during an ODI against India.

Beth Mooney. Picture: Sam Gosling / Cricket Australia.

“I have good memories here both for Australia and for Brisbane Heat, so it’s pretty cool that I get to make that milestone up here,” she said.

“I’ve got some close family heading up for the game, so it will be good to play in front of them. I’m very lucky and grateful to have that support around me.”

Despite coming away with the win in Thursday night’s game off the back of an unbeaten half-century from Phoebe Litchfield, Mooney said there were some areas where the Aussies could look to improve come game two at 7pm on Sunday.

Phoebe Litchfield bludgeons her way to an unbeaten half-century for Australia during game one of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“(The Kiwis) are a world-class opposition and they put us under the pump (on Thursday night). It was a good but not great game for us, we’re looking to sharpen up every facet of the game,” she said.

“We could get off to a bit better start with the bat in terms of wickets lost. They probably left themselves a few runs short with 140-odd on the board so we have to be prepared for that this time around if they come out hard.

“We’ll be expecting them to come out like that knowing New Zealand like we do.”