Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
Australia’s Women’s team have been in amazing form in the recent past. Not only did they clean sweep England during the Women’s Ashes, but they haven’t lost a game since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Besides, several Aussie players did well during the recently-concluded 2025 Women’s Premier League.
The Aussies are currently in New Zealand for the three-match T20I series against the White Ferns. It is to be noted that they’ll be without the services of their regular skipper, Alyssa Healy, who is still recovering from her foot injury. Thus, the talented and uncapped wicket-keeper batter Nicole Faltum was named in the squad.
During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan, Australia Women’s head coach Shelley Nitschke drew light on the youngster. She spoke about how she has a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with some of the best cricketers and learn a thing or two. Shelly also stated that Beth Mooney will be closely working with Nicole in this tour, with Mooney to take the gloves. She also said that Mooney was looking forward to work alongside the 25-year-old around wicket-keeping.
While speaking to Arvind, Shelly also mentioned that she was excited to see what Nicole brings to the group. Moreover, the head coach of Australia Women’s also highlighted the constant need to improve. Despite the team being in amazing form, she was of the opinion that there’s always room for improvement. While she felt that there wasn’t a specific area of improvement, the former all-rounder wanted Australia Women’s to set new standards.
Australia women’s coach Shelley Nitschke – We are always looking to improve
Below is the entire conversation between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Shelley Nitschke
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: So my question to you is that Australian Women’s have been in amazing form and y’all have barely put a foot wrong. So are there any areas of improvement that y’all have spoken about because with so less issues happening, are there any areas of improvement you feel personally?
Shelley Nitschke: Yeah, look I think we’re always looking to improve….Whether that’s in the back of a good performance or a poor performance. I think it’s just about getting better in all areas, and that goes down to individuals as well. So I don’t think there’s one specific area but we just want to be I guess…..Pushing the game forward and setting new standards in what can be achieved, whether that’s in the field, with the ball, or with the bat so I think that’s what we wanna do. We want to keep improving and keep setting a high bar.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Yeah, and like you mentioned earlier, Nic (Nicole Faltum) is in the squad. How excited are you on the prospect of her having the opportunity to interact with Beth Mooney who’s been in such amazing form?
Shelley Nitschke: Yeah, it’s a really good opportunity I think for Nic. I was speaking to her this morning and I know that Beth Mooney is actually looking forward to working with her with the gloves. So I think it’s a good opportunity for both of them but particularly Nic to come over here, to get around the group, to train alongside some of the game’s best. Like Mooney is about to play her 200th game and she’ll be working closely with Nic on this tour, so it’s exciting. She brings a lot of energy. We know she’s a great person to have too. So I’m very happy to have her here and see you know what she brings to the group
