Three-time defending women’s T20 World Cup champions Australia are gearing up for the upcoming tournament in the UAE with a warm-up series against New Zealand starting on Thursday in Mackay. The Aussies have had a lengthy break between international assignments, having not played since March and April.
Despite the break, Australia’s squad has been active in other competitions. Several players participated in the women’s Hundred in the UK, while Tahlia McGrath played in the Australia A limited-overs series against India A.
Australia is one of the few teams that hasn’t played international cricket in recent months. Pakistan and South Africa have squared off, while England and Ireland have also locked horns. New Zealand, on the other hand, had a lengthy tour of England in June and July.
Phoebe Litchfield, who played in the Hundred for the Northern Superchargers, believes the defending champions shouldn’t be too rusty. However, she acknowledges the need for heat acclimation before the trip to the UAE.
“It’s going to be hot. Not too dissimilar to Bangladesh,” Litchfield said. “So our preparation continues the same, and we’re probably going to do some heat acclimation over the next sort of week and a half to get ready.”
Litchfield expressed disappointment over the tournament being moved from Bangladesh due to security reasons. However, she believes Dubai offers a suitable alternative.
Litchfield, who has not played in a World Cup, is unsure of her starting position in the upcoming series and the tournament. She expects to bat in the middle order if she plays.
Both Australia and New Zealand arrived in Mackay on Monday. The first two matches of the series will be played on Thursday and Sunday before the teams move to Brisbane for the final game next Tuesday. Both squads will then fly straight to the UAE next Wednesday.
