Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
Two Perth Scorchers stars are again poised to feature regularly on the international stage over the next 12 months, earning central Cricket Australia contracts for season 2023-24.
Brilliant opener Beth Mooney and fan favourite Alana King were rewarded for their consistent efforts while representing the country in 2022-23.
Both players proved pivotal to Australian winning Commonwealth Games Gold in Birmingham, before securing a record sixth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title by overcoming hosts South Africa in the final.
Mooney, regarded as one of the finest batters in global cricket, notched up 457 runs at 57.12 in T20Is, to go with 191 runs at 95.50 in ODIs during season 2022-23.
This included Mooney’s career best ODI score of 133 from 104 deliveries versus Pakistan at the SCG in January.
Leg-spinner King, meanwhile, tallied seven scalps in the game’s shortest format, as well as three ODI wickets from as many games.
King’s ability to play attacking and defensive bowling roles was again on display, while the hard-hitting right-hander has the capacity to score quickly in the lower order.
As part of the new Memorandum of Understanding agreement, the number of women’s CA contracts has increased to 17 and all those holding contracts will now be recognised as full-time athletes.
Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 17 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Female players receive five points for a Test match, two for a One-Day International and two for a T20 International.
“It’s been an incredibly successful 12 months for the Australian women’s team, but our attention now turns to the challenges ahead, particularly the upcoming Ashes Series in England,” said Shawn Flegler, Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector.
“We’ve had a core group of players performing well over the last 12 months which means some talented players have missed out, it’s certainly made selection tough but we’re in a fortunate position to have such depth across Australian Cricket.
“Importantly, there is still the opportunity for players not offered contracts to earn upgrades through consistent performances, as we saw with Grace (Harris) last year.
“We’re about to embark on a busy 12-month period, beginning with several training camps next month at the National Cricket Centre ahead of a Tour of the UK for Australia and Australia A squads.”
Both Mooney and King were selected for Australia’s upcoming Ashes campaign in England, while talented WA wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke will also travel to the UK with Australia A.
Cricket Australia 2023-24 contracted women’s players
Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Bankstown CC)
Kim Garth (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Heather Graham (TAS/Clarence District CC)
Grace Harris (QLD/Western Suburbs CC)
Alyssa Healy (NSW/Sydney CC)
Jessica Jonassen (QLD/Valley District CC)
Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford CC)
Meg Lanning (VIC/Box Hill CC)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW/Penrith CC)
Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg CC)
Beth Mooney (WA/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt CC)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahran CC)
Tayla Vlaeminck (VIC/Plenty Valley CC)
Georgia Wareham (VIC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies CC)
