Two Western Australians have been included among a 17-player group that have been offered national contracts for the 2024-25 season, with Beth Mooney and Alana King included among a shortlist of likely national representatives.
Star WA pair earn National Contracts
Mooney earns a national contract after a standout 12 months in all formats for her country, where she remains a key cog in Australia's dominant batting lineup. The classy left-hander has compiled 1008 runs across Test (269 at 53.8), ODI (260 at 42.53) and T20I (479 at 43.54) since the start of 2023, showing her versatility across a variety of roles in the top and middle order.
With the international retirement of Meg Lanning, the 31-year-old has also become a pivotal part of the 'slips cordon' over the last couple of years, snaring 22 catches.
King has had an outstanding 2023-24 season in national colours, developing a genuine wicket-taker for Australia across the 50-over format, where she has taken 19 wickets at 12.10 in her 11 appearances over the last 12 months. Her powerful ball-striking ability with the bat has also become a feature of her game, smashing 117 runs at 58.5 with an imposing strike rate of 151.94.
Sophie Molineux has held onto her spot on the list after earning an upgrade during Australia’s recent tour of Bangladesh; the 26-year-old earning a recall to the side against South Africa in February.
The MOU between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketer’s Association states between 15 and 18 female players are eligible to be contracted.
Cricket Australia 2024-25 contracted women’s players
Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Bankstown CC)
Kim Garth (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Heather Graham (TAS/Clarence District CC)
Grace Harris (QLD/Western Suburbs CC)
Alyssa Healy (NSW/Sydney CC)
Jessica Jonassen (QLD/Valley District CC)
Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford CC)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW/Sydney University CC)
Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg CC)
Sophie Molineux (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Beth Mooney (WA/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt CC)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahran CC)
Tayla Vlaeminck (VIC/Plenty Valley CC)
Georgia Wareham (VIC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies CC)
Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 17 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Players receive five points for a Test match, two for a One-Day International and two for a T20 International.
Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:
“We’re really pleased to be able to offer Soph a contract after her successful return to the side this summer. She’s shown a great deal of resilience to get back to full fitness and she’ll play an important role next summer.
“We feel the list features a great deal of depth and a variety of skillsets that will come into play throughout the various series scheduled for 2024-25, including the T20 World Cup and multi-format Ashes series.”