Melbourne, May 25 (H.S.): Shelley Nitschke, head coach of the Australia women's national cricket team, has extended her contract with the team for another three years and will now remain in charge until mid-2029. The announcement was made on Monday, just ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England.

Former Australian all-rounder Shelley Nitschke took over as head coach in 2022, succeeding Matthew Mott. During her tenure, Australia won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and lifted the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup title. However, the team could only reach the semi-finals in the most recent ODI and T20 World Cups.

Under her new contract, Nitschke will lead Australia in the next four major tournaments, including the 2026 and 2028 Women’s T20 World Cups, the 2027 Champions Trophy, and the 2028 Olympic Games. In addition, Australia will tour England for the Ashes in 2027, while hosting the home Ashes series in 2029.

Quoting Cricket Australia, Shelley Nitschke said:

“It is a matter of great pride for me to work with this team and continue alongside such outstanding players and support staff. Together, we have achieved a great deal, but this group is capable of accomplishing much more in the coming years. There are several major tournaments and challenges ahead, and I am extremely excited about them.”

Ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia will play three unofficial warm-up matches against South Africa women's national cricket team. The team will then feature in ICC practice matches against England women's national cricket team and West Indies women's national cricket team.

In the T20 World Cup, Australia have been placed in a group alongside South Africa women's national cricket team, Bangladesh women's national cricket team, India women's national cricket team, Pakistan women's national cricket team, and Netherlands women's national cricket team.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar