Learn from the Aussies

The highly successful Australian womenrsquos cricket team has rightly joined an elite group of winning sidesIn recent times that group includes the Australian menrsquos team from around 1999 to the mid2000rsquos and the West Indies side of the 80s through to the mid90s Both teams achieved lengthy success and dominated their sportThe womenrsquos 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 semifinal to IndiaThe 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 tallymdashalmost equalling the men 359 in the 2003 World Cup finalmdashwas anchored by Alyssa Healyrsquos scintillating knock of 170Healy is a famous Australian cricket name but she is only one of a number of star players The teamrsquos ongoing success has been built around Lanningrsquos strong leadership bolstered by the individual brilliance of manyFantastic HealyHealyrsquos slickness with the gloves is not surprising because she has inherited the rsquokeeping skills of her Uncle Ian However when she bats itrsquos a different story Where Ian was highly competitive but slightly unorthodox with the bat Alyssa is a fleetfooted strokemakerHealy 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 characterHealy scored her record breaking 170 in the final but she also provided a substantial platform for the Australian semifinal win with a century Producing big scores in crucial games is a sure way to underline your importance in the teamLanning on the other hand is a highachieving leader but maintains her standing with continual success The thing that strikes you about Lanningrsquos 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 mostConsistent LanningThe other aspect is Lanningrsquos 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 AfricaLanning has now completed nine centuries in winning ODI chases That kind of successful consistency will help cement any leaderrsquos positionLanning 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 comfortablyWhat will inwardly please Lanning is the improved depth and quality of the squad Australiarsquos dominance is no fluke The demanding competitions that Australia play from the interstate series to the highly competitive WBBL and the way theyrsquove implemented salary escalation has been a lesson to all concernedThe improvement in womenrsquos cricket is obvious from the enormous increase in team totals Whilst the rapid improvement is visible in Australiarsquos dominance the increase in scoresmdashimproved by two extra runs per over in two decadesmdashare apparent throughout the womenrsquos 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 womenrsquos game and intends to hold an expanded IPL competition for 2023Increased prize moneyAlong 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 womenrsquos stand alone T20 finalOther teams now need to raise their standard to meet the demanding challenge set by Australia This will be a tough assignment especially while the strongmindedLanning is in charge