CA announce Shelley Nitschke as interim head coach of Women’s Team

After England Cricket Board announced Matthew Mott’s appointment as the team’s white-ball coach, Cricket Australia named Shelley Nitschke as the interim head coach of the Australian Women’s Team. In June, Nitschke will lead the team for the tri-series in Ireland, which also includes Pakistan, followed by the Commonwealth Games 2022.

CA will utilize this period to find a suitable candidate for the full-time role before the start of the home season. Nitschke formerly worked with South Australian Scorpions and Adelaide Strikers before being named assistant coach of the Australian women’s team in 2018. She became the head coach of the Perth Scorchers in the WBBL in 2019, and the squad won its first title last summer.

Mott stated he felt “honoured” to have served as Australia’s head coach for seven years, during which time the team has achieved unparalleled success, including back-to-back T20 World Cup wins and the ODI World Cup victory this year in April at Christchurch in New Zealand.

“I leave with a heavy heart but with so many wonderful memories. The on-field success is well documented but it’s the lifelong friendships that I’ve formed that resonate most with me. I am very proud to have been part of a sport that has been able to endure the last couple of years and come through it with an even brighter future. There is never a perfect time to leave such a wonderful environment, but this opportunity is one that excites me very much,” Mott was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

I look forward to seeing them grow what’s become an incredible legacy: Mott

Under Mott and Nitschke’s guidance, the Australian women’s team remained unbeaten in 26-straight ODI matches and recorded an amazing streak between 2018-2021. Their match-winning streak started when they defeated India by 3-0 in 2018 and ended with losing a game to India in 2021 in their ODI fixture. The women’s team has also remained undefeated in four Women’s Ashes, which is also a record in both men’s and women’s cricket.

“Not all coaches get to leave on a high and I have nothing but gratitude and admiration for everyone who has helped me in this amazing experience over my tenure with this great team. This playing group is led magnificently by a number of players, including Meg and Rach, who have together helped forge a culture that will thrive for many years to come. I wish the team all the best and look forward to seeing them grow what’s become an incredible legacy,” Mott added.