Australia Women Cricket Team Needs Better Fixtures
Australia's women's cricket team has built a reputation as one of the finest in the world, but its standing at home does not reflect that success. Former captain Alyssa Healy and former cricketer Mel Jones have voiced concern over how the team is being treated domestically, particularly in terms of scheduling.
The latest flashpoint came last Thursday at North Sydney Oval, where the women's third ODI against New Zealand was due to take place. The men's Test against South Africa was also set to start at 7 pm that evening, creating a direct clash of fixtures. Rain in Sydney cut the women's match short after just 16 balls.
Speaking about the timing, Healy said, "They are batting at North Sydney at 7:15 and the Test starts at 7. We are running into our own team, and that team is out playing overseas. It is extremely frustrating. The girls are doing so well, but they are not getting the spotlight in their own country."
Jones added weight to Healy's comments. "We have the best sports team in the world right on our doorstep, and we are not showing them off. Their brilliant play and personal stories are not getting the exposure they have earned. It is also tough for supporters to come out in this heat to back the team."
The schedule issue is not limited to one match. Australia's women will not play any international fixture on home soil for the next four months. Their October ODI and T20 series against Bangladesh and New Zealand will be staged only in Brisbane and Sydney.
Healy highlighted the gap in opportunities. "Three ODIs in Brisbane and three T20s in Sydney is what you are playing. The rest of Australia is not getting a look at the team that has just come back from winning the World Cup. That is sad news."
The overloaded calendar, with the Women's Premier League, Women's Big Bash League and the ICC Women's Champions Trophy now pushed to 2027, has made matters harder for planners.
Jones argued that the national team should not suffer as a result. "Scheduling is the hardest job in cricket because so many games are happening at the same time. But it has to start at the top. We have two premier teams, men and women. We need to make sure this does not happen again. The men's Test schedule was locked in quite late too, and that drew criticism."
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg has promised smarter scheduling in the future. Options on the table include women's T20 matches following men's Tests, or linking the Women's Big Bash League with the men's tournament.