As Australia was preparing for a World Cup campaign ultimately dashed by a record-breaking chase by India last month, Beth Mooney identified an obstacle for the Aussies in their title defence.
There were, she declared, “no secrets in international cricket anymore” given the fact the world’s best female cricketers are now more likely to play alongside each other.
The global nature of cricket and the growth of short-form competitions in England and India has led to a greater awareness as to what is needed to succeed in World Cups and is also strengthening the depth in cricket internationally.
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The WBBL, which begins with a triple-header on Sunday, has been the forerunner but the introduction of the Women’s Premier League in India and The Hundred in England have broadened opportunities for female stars in recent years.
That has been a bonus for the world’s premier women, who have far greater opportunities to cash in on their brilliant talent.
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NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Beth Mooney of Australia (R) speaks to teammate Ellyse Perry (L) during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 Semi-Final match between India and Australia at DY Patil Stadium on October 30, 2025 in Navi Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It was reported last month that five members of the Australian team beaten in a thrilling semi-final of the World Cup have surged beyond $1 million in annual earnings due to CA contracts, international deals and sponsorship portfolios.
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh told The Guardian he expected women’s salaries to continue to grow.
“It’s healthy, it can offer more and more players those sorts of opportunities, because that means we’ve got a better chance of securing the best athletes in the country,” he said.
The globalisation means that the depth everywhere has increased with domestic talents exposed to international cricketers.
The Aussies head overseas to plunder The Hundred and the WPL, with the next mega-cash auction to be held this month.
In turn, stars such as Sophie Ecclestone, Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Woolvardt will be among those thrilling Australian crowds over the next month in season 11 of the WBBL after completing World Cup duties for their respective nations.
Despite the short turnaround, Australian captain Alyssa Healy said she was not surprised the world’s leading players had headed down under for this year’s edition.
“I think the WBBL has just been a fun competition since day one. So 11 years in, I think people are still raving about it,” Healy said.
“The fact that we can still bring the best players in the world out means we’re doing something right.”
Although Australia no longer has a World Cup crown to its name after also falling short in the T20 tournament in Dubai last year, the cross-pollination of talent is great for the sport, Mooney told Fox Cricket in an interview at the start of the season.
“The growth has been amazing,” the Perth Scorchers star said.
“The opportunities are endless for us now, just the ability to go overseas, play with a different group of people, different coaching staff and learn about the game through a different lens.
“From my point of view, (that) has been really beneficial for my own game and hopefully the places I’ve been, people say the same about us Australians going and playing in their tournaments.
“I think it’s developing players at a far quicker rate than when I grew up, just having the access to overseas players, good conditions, good facilities, good coaching. And I think it’s only going to get bigger.”
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 27: Meg Lanning of the Stars prepares to bat during the T20 Spring Challenge match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars at Blacktown International Sportspark, on October 27, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Australia’s most recent ODI World Cup captain Meg Lanning, who has retired from international cricket but remains a feature on the world circuit, has no doubt the growing focus on the WPL in India has helped to strengthen the World Cup champions.
She said the introduction of the WPL in 2023, which features player auctions and broader commitments away from the crease, had been eye-opening even for established stars.
“They’re all very different competitions. The WPL is a completely different kettle of fish, just in terms of what comes with playing there,” Lanning told foxsports.com.au.
“There’s a lot more off field stuff, I think, in terms of the teams and sponsors and that sort of stuff, which is a little bit different, but at the same time, that sort of comes with the territory and there are some good opportunities in that as well, so that’s really cool.
“We get some great crowds over there and I really think that, in terms of depth for Indian cricket in particular, that has played a really big part in their side. Some of the girls playing for India now have sort of found their feet in the WPL. So I think it’s been great for not only Indian players, but also those around the world, to be able to go over and experience different conditions, different pressures, that sort of thing.
“Even with the auction and all that sort of stuff, that’s just something completely new. And it was very strange when all that happened, so just getting used to all of that, I guess, and being able to work your way through that and deal with that is, I guess, an important step, because I think that’s going to happen more and more in the game.”
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In an interview with the ABC in January Rodrigues, who plays for the Brisbane Heat in the WBBL and the Delhi Capitals in the WPL, praised the standard set by the Australian league.
“Everyone loves playing in the WBBL because the standard is really high,” she told the ABC.
“We’ve seen how it’s helped Australian players. Similarly, the WPL, even after just two seasons, has significantly improved domestic cricket in India. Imagine what it will achieve in 10 years.
“Now women cricketers can focus solely on their game without juggling second jobs. For me, personally, I feel blessed to play cricket full-time and call it my profession.
“Playing alongside international players is incredible. We come from different backgrounds and countries, but when we come together, we become a family. Cricket does that. It brings us together and teaches us that while we are different, we are one.”
India’s Jemimah Rodrigues (R) celebrates with Arundhati Reddy after taking a catch to dismiss Australia’s Beth Mooney during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 one-day international (ODI) semi-final match between India and Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on October 30, 2025. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE –Source: AFP
Lanning, who is hoping to lead the Melbourne Stars back to the WBBL finals beginning with a clash against the Adelaide Strikers at home on Monday, is a global superstar.
She is proud of how far the WBBL has come since its introduction in 2015 and the role it has played in developing the sport, which has led to the broader opportunities on offer now, and said Aussie cricket benefited from the presence of players including England’s Amy Jones and Dani Gardner, who will line-up alongside her for the Melbourne Stars over the next month.
“All the tournaments are very different,” she said.
“They’ve got their unique features, I guess, which is good. You want that sort of difference across the comps. I enjoy playing in all of them and obviously, playing at home is always nice as well. Family and friends (are there), there are similar conditions, so that’s always nice.
“But I think in terms of the opportunities that female domestic female players have to play the game globally now, it’s really exciting. And I think we’re seeing the benefits of that in terms of the quality of cricket and the depth as well, and just the opportunities for girls to play in different conditions and under different pressures, I think, is really helping the standard.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 27: Meg Lanning of the Stars bats during the T20 Spring Challenge match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars at Blacktown International Sportspark, on October 27, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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