Aussie women more aggressive for World T20

Australia's women's cricketers have won 16 straight games across all formats but enter the World T20 without a World Cup in their trophy cabinet.

Megan Schutt

Megan Schutt (left) says expect a more aggressive approach from Australia at the World T20. (AAP)

Australia's women's cricketers say they're finally living and breathing their own aggressive philosophies as they go about restocking their trophy cabinet at this month's World Twenty20.

Guilty of relying too much on their own talent in recent years according to coach Matthew Mott, the Australians will take a new approach into the Caribbean tournament after surrendering the title to the West Indies two years ago.

Widely regarded as the world's best women's team, Australia enter Saturday's opener against Pakistan with 16 straight wins across all formats but without either the one-day World Cup or T20 trophy in their hands.

But things have changed since last year's ODI semi-final World Cup exit to India, as Australia aim to claim their fourth World T20 victory in the last five attempts.

"A couple of years ago we may have spoken about wanting to play more attacking and aggressive cricket whereas now we've actually been doing that," quick bowler Megan Schutt told AAP.

"I just think we're finally living and breathing the words we have been talking about in the media for a long time, we have the depth in our batting line up to do that."

Those changes include the dangerous Alyssa Healy moving to the top of the order, where she's averaged 30.84 at a strike rate of 138.75 since the promotion.

She's partnered by Beth Mooney, while Ashleigh Gardner is striking at above 150.00 this year at No.3.

Then the stroke making of Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani, Ellyse Perry and Rachael Haynes appears equipped to maintain the momentum.

"I think just the players themselves embraced the need to be a bit more adventurous and play a bit more fearlessly," Mott said.

"Before we were probably relying on the fact we had a lot of depth and the most talented team and we weren't playing the brand of cricket the new era demanded.

"We probably sat back and thought if we play well we should have most things covered. But I think world cricket has evolved so if you're not 100 per cent on you're very vulnerable, particularly in the T20 format."

Mott has also told his bowlers to arm themselves with more variations with the ball, as the Aussies face a difficult group path to the finals.

Young spinners Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux have emerged as prominent wicket-takers on the slow pitches, while Schutt is the world's No.1 T20 bowler.

They are in a group against one-day world champions India and the ever-dangerous New Zealand, who have the world's top-ranked women's bat in Suzie Bates.

AUSTRALIA'S WORLD T20 SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEDT)

* v Pakistan, Saturday Nov 10, 7am

* v Ireland, Monday Nov 12, 7am

* v New Zealand, Wednesday Nov 14, 11am

* v India, Sunday Nov 18, 2am

* Semi-final, Friday Nov 23, Time TBC

* Final, Sunday Nov 25, 11am


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world