At this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Meg Lanning will head an unchanged Australia side in the first Women’s T20 event.
Nitschke, a prominent member of Australia’s coaching team, takes over after Matthew Mott leaves to become England’s men’s white-ball coach.
Continuity is important in Australia’s player pool, and the team is a strong favorite to add to their title haul.
Georgia Wareham (ACL injury), Sophie Molineux (foot injury), and Tayla Vlaeminck (foot injury) are still recovering from their injuries and will miss the Games, just as they missed the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry, who is currently recovering from a back injury, is expected to continue as a pure batter, as she did in the World Cup final. “Her bowling availability will be determined by her improvement in the coming weeks and medical advice,” stated team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth.
In June, Australia will hold two training sessions at the National Cricket Centre before competing in a tri-series against Ireland and Pakistan in the lead-up to the Games, which will feature cricket for the second time after Kuala Lampur in 1998, when the men’s 50-over version of the sport was played.
“Being there alongside athletes from badminton, squash, lawn bowls, and a variety of other sports will be an exciting new experience for our guys,” Lanning added.
“We’ve all grown up watching the Commonwealth Games on TV, seeing Australian athletes inspire the rest of the country, and we’re hoping to do the same.”
Australia, the defending women’s T20 global champions, will be the overwhelming gold medal favourites to begin the Games. They are in the same category as India, Pakistan, and Barbados. England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are in Group B, with the top two sides from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
