Beth Mooney Milestone Match Against New Zealand
The Australian team's aggressive and fearless playstyle has fetched them global honors, and they will be looking to continue this approach in the series against New Zealand. With Mooney's milestone match and the return of Devine, the series is expected to be an exciting one, with both teams vying for victory in the lead-up to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
Beth Mooney is set to play her 200th match for Australia on Friday against New Zealand in Auckland, a testament to her consistency and reliability in the Australian squad. With 6327 runs across all formats, Mooney has become Australia's fourth-highest female run scorer, earning her the nickname "Ms Consistent" among her peers and coaches.
Mooney's achievements are a result of her hard work and dedication to the sport. She has been praised by coach Shelley Nitschke and captain Tahlia McGrath for her team-first attitude and ability to perform under pressure. Mooney has batted in the middle-order in ODIs and Tests, while also taking the wicketkeeping gloves in place of Alyssa Healy when required. Her versatility has made her a key player in Australia's successful squad, driving the team's standards and pushing the bar out in all formats.
The series against New Zealand will also see the return of Sophie Devine, who had considered retiring from international cricket but was lured back by the prospect of defending the ODI World Cup title in India later this year. Devine's return will undoubtedly strengthen the New Zealand side, which will face a stern challenge from the Australian team. Australia captain Tahlia McGrath is optimistic about the team's chances in the three-match T20I series, despite the visitors' focus being on the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
As Mooney prepares to play her 200th match, she is just 190 runs away from dislodging Meg Lanning as Australia's all-time leading run scorer in the shortest format. The series opener will be a significant milestone for Mooney, and her teammates will be looking to support her in achieving this feat. With a wealth of talent in the squad, including newer names like Georgia Voll and Nicole Faltum, Australia is expected to put up a strong performance against New Zealand.