Beth Mooney has called on Cricket Australia to reshape the women’s home calendar so that matches fall in the peak summer months. Mooney, Player of the Tournament at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, raised the issue on October 6, 2026.
The current schedule
Australia open their home summer on October 9 with a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Brisbane. They then host New Zealand for T20Is in Sydney on October 18, 20 and 22, all on school nights.
There is then no home international until March 2027, when New Zealand return for an ODI series starting in Canberra on March 6.
Mooney’s concerns
Mooney said the timing makes it hard for families to attend and could affect young girls’ involvement in the sport. She said the game risks falling behind by getting this wrong, with a poor timeslot and a time of year that is awkward for parents.
She also pointed to low crowds and inconsistent marketing, saying there is no flagship event that fans know the team plays each year. Women’s cricket, she argued, should be front and centre in summer rather than competing with the men’s schedule.
Support from coach and captain
Head coach Shelley Nitschke called the lack of December and January home fixtures disappointing. Captain Sophie Molineux agreed that holiday-period games could bring more supporters, while accepting that calendars are getting busier.
Players and management are pushing for more home matches in December and January, when school holidays could help attract families and young fans.
