A line of argument has become increasingly prominent among followers of international cricket in recent years: When there’s a women’s cricket World Cup, Australia’s first and only appearance should be in the final. Albeit birthed in jest, the proposition has resurfaced before the 10-team Women’s T20 Cup in South Africa, which begins on Friday, with the hosts taking on Sri Lanka at Newlands.
Defending champions, overwhelming favourites, reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallists, and the team with five trophies from the seven editions of the 20-over World Cup to date – Australia, the top-ranked limited-overs side in the women’s game, head into their title defence with an aura of invincibility. Within the touring party, though, the focus is on keeping things in perspective.
“We sort of don’t internally speak about those sorts of tags,” Australia head coach Shelley Nietschke told Al Jazeera. “We take every tournament for what it is: we don’t see ourselves as defending champs; we see ourselves as trying to be the winners of the 2023 World Cup because we’re not the defending champs of the 2023 World Cup.
“This is the first one in South Africa, so that’s the way we kind of like to view things and make sure that we’re doing everything to win that tournament. I think it’s about playing what’s in front of us and not listening to too much noise outside.”
