Learn from the Aussies

Australia players celebrate winning the 2022 World Cup final v England at Christchurch recently. PIC/AFP

The highly successful Australian women's cricket team has rightly joined an elite group of winning sides.

In recent times that group includes the Australian men's team from around 1999 to the mid-2000's and the West Indies side of the 80s through to the mid-90s. Both teams achieved lengthy success and dominated their sport.

The women's team, brilliantly led by Meg Lanning, have put together an incredible run of 40 ODI victories in 42 matches since dramatically losing the 2017 World Cup semi-final to India.

The Australian team capped their skilful performance by clinching a spectacular 71 run victory in the 2022 World Cup final. In achieving victory they set England an enormous chase in scoring 356 batting first. This exceptional tally - almost equalling the men [359] in the 2003 World Cup final - was anchored by Alyssa Healy's scintillating knock of 170.

Healy is a famous Australian cricket name, but she is only one of a number of star players. The team's ongoing success has been built around Lanning's strong leadership, bolstered by the individual brilliance of many.

Fantastic Healy

Healy's slickness with the gloves is not surprising because she has inherited the 'keeping skills of her Uncle Ian. However, when she bats it's a different story. Where Ian was highly competitive, but slightly unorthodox with the bat, Alyssa is a fleet-footed stroke-maker.

Healy uses her feet to get into position and then guides the shot in her preferred direction by subtle use of the wrists. When I chatted with Alyssa and her father Greg over a beer I realised she also has inherited the cheeky Healy character.

Healy scored her record breaking 170 in the final, but she also provided a substantial platform for the Australian semi-final win with a century. Producing big scores in crucial games is a sure way to underline your importance in the team.

Lanning on the other hand is a high-achieving leader, but maintains her standing with continual success.

The thing that strikes you about Lanning's batting is her technique. Not only is it built on traditional lines, but it also provides Lanning with ample time to play her chosen shot. Her technique is as good as most.

Consistent Lanning

The other aspect is Lanning's ability to produce match defining scores at crucial times. This was again highlighted during the World Cup with her match winning 135 not out after Australia had lost an early wicket in the vital round game against South Africa.

Lanning has now completed nine centuries in winning ODI chases. That kind of successful consistency will help cement any leader's position.

Lanning, in addition to her batting ability, has been a good and studious leader. Her captaincy has evolved and she handles a capable, but varied attack and the many injury setbacks comfortably.

What will inwardly please Lanning is the improved depth and quality of the squad. Australia's dominance is no fluke. The demanding competitions that Australia play from the interstate series to the highly competitive WBBL and the way they've implemented salary escalation has been a lesson to all concerned.

The improvement in women's cricket is obvious from the enormous increase in team totals. Whilst the rapid improvement is visible in Australia's dominance, the increase in scores - improved by two extra runs per over in two decades - are apparent throughout the women's game.

The other area where rapid development has been made is fielding. Not only is the ground work much improved, but the standard of catching and throwing has risen quickly. The BCCI is now recognising the value of the developing women's game and intends to hold an expanded IPL competition for 2023.

Increased prize money

Along with these rapid improvements has come increased prize money and greater attendance, as indicated by the near capacity crowd at the MCG for the 2020 women's stand alone T20 final.

Other teams now need to raise their standard to meet the demanding challenge set by Australia. This will be a tough assignment, especially while the strong-minded Lanning is in charge.