Just like the men, Australia’s hugely successful women’s team may face some huge calls. Skipper Alyssa Healy, who turns 36 in March, and allrounder Ellysse Perry, 35, have been the backbone of the Australia’s trophy-winning side for more than a decade. Meg Lanning is gone, but Healy and Perry have not yet indicated further change is afoot. There is a home series against India in February, before the mid-year T20 World Cup in England. Could that be a fitting swansong? We’ll see.
Standout: Australian captain Alyssa Healy has been instrumental in a decade of dominance.Credit: Cricket Australia
A Test of endurance
Australia will play 21 Tests in two years from August 2026 in an unprecedented stint that will include marquee tours to South Africa (returning for the first time since 2018’s ball-tampering scandal), then India and England – countries where Australia have not won series outright in more than 20 years. This is going to require a deep and in-form squad. Keep an eye on any players promoted for upcoming Australia A series and tours, for it’s here where the nucleus of fresh Test faces will appear when injuries and form dictate change.
Are there greener pastures ahead for a much-hyped all-rounder?
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Greg Chappell has long lauded Cameron Green as a “once-in-a-generation” talent. But Australia has yet to see the consistent best from the talented allrounder, who averages 32.82 (two centuries) with the bat and has 37 wickets at 37.67 after 35 Tests. No doubt, Green – the IPL’s $4 million man – would prefer those averages to be flipped. Where is his best spot in the batting order? Through the backbreaking 21 Tests ahead beginning in August 2026, we’ll know what Green is truly worth.
What can we expect in white-ball cricket?
There’s the Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from February. India are the defending champions. Australia have claimed the title only once, in 2021. Expect Nathan Ellis to have a prominent role with the ball now Mitchell Starc has retired from T20 internationals, for Australia to field first when possible, and for Travis Head to unleash from the get-go when the opportunity arises in a bid to touch team totals of 220 or more. We’re also keen to see what Glenn Maxwell has left in the tank at an international level.
Does Cricket Australia accept the privatisation riches on offer to help transform the BBL?
We say yes. It’s going to be hard for CA – and the states – to say no, for budget repair in the wake of the pandemic is still urgently needed. As has been reported, the sale, based on a plan to sell a 49 per cent stake in six BBL clubs and 100 per cent stakes in one each of the two Melbourne- and Sydney-based teams, should reap between $600 and $800 million. Yes, there are ongoing financial squabbles between CA and the states that have made this a drawn-out process, but once the finer details are negotiated, this seems a no-brainer if we want the BBL to nestle just below the IPL on the T20 pecking order.
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