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“Bad time of year”: Beth Mooney urges Cricket Australia to rethink Women’s cricket schedule

Australian cricket captain Beth Mooney has called on Cricket Australia to reconsider the scheduling of women’s international matches, arguing that current timings risk alienating young fans and stifling growth. The team’s upcoming series—three ODIs against Bangladesh in Brisbane and three T20Is against New Zealand in Sydney—are set for school nights, while the next home window isn’t until March 2027.

Mooney highlighted that the lack of games during Australian school holidays for the next three years, combined with weekday fixtures, makes it harder for families to attend, potentially reducing girls’ engagement with the sport. She also criticized the ICC’s decision to move the Champions Trophy to India, leaving Perth without any women’s international matches this summer, and noted conflicts with the Women’s Premier League in India during Australia’s January window.

Mooney stressed that without a consistent summer schedule and stronger promotion, the women’s team risks fading from public view despite their recent successes, including another T20 World Cup title. She suggested aligning fixtures with major men’s Test matches to boost visibility and attendance, arguing that women’s cricket doesn’t need to compete directly with the men’s calendar but could benefit from shared opportunities.

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