Beth Mooney Eases Concerns After Emergency Role
Australia’s Beth Mooney was confident the back stiffness that saw her retired hurt against Netherlands would not prove a longer-term concern for Australia at the T20 World Cup. Mooney walked off the field at the second drinks break in Southampton having made a fluent 74 from 42 balls, which left Georgia Voll scrambling to ask for her team-mate’s wicketkeeping gloves.
Mooney’s Injury and Voll’s Emergency Role
Mooney was in good spirits after the game, blaming the long road trip from Leeds after the Bangladesh game for her back stiffness. ‘I’m all good, just precautionary,’ Mooney said after being named player of the match. ‘Probably just not used to all the bus travel we’ve been doing.’ The wicketkeeping situation is one Australia ran the risk of occurring when not naming a specialist back-up to Mooney in their 15-player squad.
Gardner’s Return and Voll’s Impressive Performance
Ashleigh Gardner, who struck 58 off 32 balls after returning from an ankle injury, said the way Australia calmly covered for Mooney’s absence was a reflection on the squad’s adaptability. ‘Having Moons go down is super unfortunate because she’s such a world-class keeper,’ she said. ‘But, having to turn to someone who’s not really kept probably ever, but did a tidy enough job, it does show that depth within our side.’ Given her lack of experience in the role, Voll performed impressively, taking a neat catch to remove Phebe Molkenboer and not conceding a bye through 20 overs.
Voll’s Reflection on Her Emergency Role
Voll admitted it was a fielding stint that would stick with her. ‘It felt very ugly,’ Voll told cricket.com.au. ‘I don’t really know how it looked, but every time it came up on the big screen, I was like, ‘ew’. It was pretty fun … it did feel a bit odd that I had to keep in a game for Australia, that’s for sure. That’s something that I will probably remember for a long time, because it’s something that I wouldn’t think would happen.’
Gardner’s Return to Form
Gardner, meanwhile, was pleased with how she came through her return after an unfortunate stumble in Leeds that ruled her out of the Bangladesh game with an ankle sprain. After not making a T20I half-century since December 2022, this was Gardner’s second in four innings going back to the India series in February. ‘My ankle’s good. I’d made a full recovery to be able to be confident enough to play today,’ she said. ‘It’s certainly still bruised … but all is good. I’m taking a lot of confidence out of that, being able to spend some time out in the middle with Moons [Mooney].’
Australia’s Road Ahead
After facing Pakistan, Australia will then wait until Sunday for their final group match against India at Lord’s. With Mooney’s injury not considered a major concern, Australia will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the next round of the tournament.
