The Australian women’s cricket team faced an early exit from the 2025 ODI World Cup, falling in the semi-finals to eventual champions India after an impressive unbeaten group stage. This outcome, coupled with their 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final loss, means Australia will miss consecutive ICC event finals for the first time since 2009.
However, seasoned former head coach Matthew Mott sees this as an opportunity for growth rather than a crisis. He remains highly optimistic about the current Australian squad’s capabilities, describing it as the “most balanced” and “chock full of amazing players.” Mott’s tenure from 2018-2023 saw a significant period of success for the team.
The former coach reflected on similar situations in the past, stating, “It’s going to hurt, but as we found in 2017 sometimes those things happen for a reason and can motivate you and kick you to even higher levels.” He specifically highlighted the emergence of young talents like Phoebe Litchfield, who showcased her potential with a stellar performance.
Mott also commented on the broader landscape of women’s cricket, acknowledging India’s impressive victory while maintaining his belief in Australia’s underlying strength. He anticipates that this experience will galvanize the team, under the guidance of coach Shelley Nitschke, as they prepare for upcoming series against India and the next T20 World Cup.