Weeks before the commencement of the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia women’s national team has signed a three-year extension with Shelley Nitschke. She will continue her role as the head coach of the team until June 2029.
Nitschke took charge of the team in 2022 after Matthew Mott stepped down following Australia’s ODI World Cup victory. Since then, she has guided the side to a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and triumph at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
“It’s a privilege to continue coaching this team and working with such an outstanding group of players and staff,” Nitschke said. ”We’ve achieved a great deal together, but there’s also enormous motivation around what this group can accomplish in the years ahead.”
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She continued, “There are some major events and exciting challenges on the horizon and I’m looking forward to helping guide the team through the next phase.”
Australia have remained the No. 1 team in both ODI and T20I cricket during her tenure. However, the side fell short in their last two major ICC tournaments, losing the semi-final of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup to South Africa women’s national team in the UAE and another semi-final to India women’s national cricket team in the 2025 ODI World Cup.
Despite the setbacks, Cricket Australia has backed Nitschke to continue leading the squad into a new phase, including the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup under new captain Sophie Molineux.
CA CEO Todd Greenberg heaps praise on Shelley Nitschke
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg has praised Nitschke’s work and said her role in managing the team’s transition would be crucial.
“She is also successfully guiding a period of transition with some brilliant young players joining the team from the large pool of women and girls now participating in our game,” Greenberg said.
The six-time champions Australia women’s team will open their campaign at the 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a match against South Africa women’s team on June 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12, with the final being scheduled at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 5.
