News
Annabel Sutherland’s role has been the talking point again, and head coach Shelley Nitschke reckons the 22-year-old is ready to “blow her T20 game open” during next month’s World Cup.
Australia, who are not defending champions for the first time since 2018, begin their final build-up on Sunday with three hit-outs against South Africa at Arundel. Two more warm-ups – a mini-tri-series of sorts with England and West Indies – follow before the tournament opener, also v South Africa, on 13 June.
Key facts first
• Three practice matches v South Africa, starting 31 May
• Two further warm-ups v England and West Indies
• World Cup opener on 13 June, again against South Africa
• Australia still tinkering with “best XI”, per Nitschke
Sutherland the finisher?
With the ball her place is nailed on; with the bat it is less clear. She has batted only 23 times in 48 T20Is, mostly at seven or eight, and averages fewer than 14 balls per innings. Her debut knock – 22 off 11 against England in 2020 – remains a reference point for her late-overs punch, yet she has spent more time up the order in both ODIs and Tests.
“Domestically she bats quite high up the order but has sort of found herself in that middle-order finishing role for us, and I think she certainly can take that role on,” Nitschke said on Thursday. “She has shown that she can make runs up top but she’s also showed that she’s got some tricks and a 360 [degree] game to play that middle to finishing role as well.
“I actually think she’s really versatile and she’s probably on the cusp of really, I think, blowing her T20 game open … I expect to see her having an impact with both bat and ball throughout this tournament.”
Why not up the order?
Match-ups have played a part. In February at the SCG the left-handed Nicola Carey leapfrogged Sutherland to exploit a short boundary. Nitschke admits the balance could change game by game, especially on English wickets that may slow as the summer wears on.
Domestic numbers are solid rather than spectacular. For Melbourne Stars last season Sutherland struck at 122.53 – handy, though her career Big Bash rate is 106.5. The staff still believe that, when the runs do come, they will come quickly.
Managing the workload
Sutherland skipped the recent tour of the West Indies, having already opted out of the WPL, and last batted competitively in March when she hammered 129 in the Test against India at the WACA.
“I think it’s obviously tough when your team-mates are playing and I absolutely love playing for and representing Australia, so I missed that – but I knew it was the right call for me, to be honest,” she told cricket.com.au. “Physically, mentally, just to refresh and prioritise what I needed to make sure that I’m raring to go for when it matters most – which is this T20 World Cup.”
Analytical corner
• Strike rates: Sutherland 122.5 (WBBL 2025-26), Carey 118.9
• Bowling: Sutherland 23 wickets, 6.5 economy in T20Is since Jan 2024
• Fielding: direct-hit run-outs in 3 of her last 10 internationals
Flexibility still key
Nitschke says the coaching group are “close” to locking in their preferred XI but remain open. Conditions at Hove, Taunton and Lord’s – Australia’s group venues – can differ markedly; spinning options may trump extra pace, or vice versa. Sutherland’s ability to send brisk seamers, catch in the deep and, if required, pinch-hit up the order gives selectors breathing room.
“We’ll keep an eye on how the wickets play in the warm-ups,” Nitschke added. “We’ve got depth, which is a nice problem.”
Other news bits
• Captain Sophie Molineux is easing back from a back spasm and is expected to bowl in the second warm-up.
• Vice-captain Alyssa Healy remained in Sydney for a short rest but joins the squad on Friday.
• A decision on the final 15 must be lodged with the ICC by 7 June.
Zooming out
Australia have played just six T20Is in the past 12 months, partly due to a crowded multi-format calendar and rain-affected tours. The squad’s core, however, remains familiar, and management are banking on experience over raw game time. That approach worked in 2023 – whether it holds in 2026, against a rapidly improving South Africa and an England side buoyed by the Hundred, is the question.
For now, the spotlight stays on Sutherland. If her all-round game clicks, Australia may yet enjoy another deep run. If not, the gap left by a genuine late-overs striker could be telling.
And that, really, is what these next five warm-ups are about.
