Beth Mooney, Australia’s accomplished opening batter, is calling for women’s cricket to “keep pushing the boundaries” in the pursuit of equal pay for global competitions. As she prepares to return to the Hundred after a year’s absence, Mooney is set to join Manchester Originals as their star overseas signing, bringing her focus on equity to the forefront of her cricketing journey.

Mooney’s return to the Hundred and the push for equal pay

At 30 years old, Beth Mooney was the Manchester Originals’ first pick in this year’s draft, securing a top-tier £50,000 deal. This marks a significant increase from the £31,250 that the ECB had previously set as the top salary bracket for the 2023 draft. However, this amount is still a fraction of the £125,000 top-tier salary in the men’s competition and much less than the £200,000 Mooney earned from the Gujarat Giants in the inaugural WPL auction in February 2023.

“I’m not sure it’s quite equal billing, because the men still get paid more,” Mooney told ESPNcricinfo during a KP Snacks event at Cheetham Hill. “But yeah, in terms of the exposure, and the fan base, and the quality of the tournament, it’s certainly up there with one of the best going around. It’s doing a great job with getting more opportunities for women in this country to play cricket but, as with any women’s sport, we’re not quite there with equal billing.”

While Mooney acknowledges the positive strides being made, she remains cautious about any premature self-congratulation regarding the state of women’s cricket in England. Despite the Hundred’s efforts to offer equal opportunities through shared facilities and double-header match days, the journey toward salary parity is ongoing. The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) recommended that English cricket aim for equal salaries in the Hundred by 2025, but the ECB pushed back, citing the commercial and media value disparities between the men’s and women’s games.

“I don’t know if it’s quite an achievable goal,” she said. “The men obviously bring in a lot of revenue across the world, in terms of the viewership and the broadcast and things like that, so the remuneration piece is always a bit of a tough one.

“But we’ve got to keep pushing the boundaries a bit,” she added. “I think we’ve got to keep asking the right questions of the ICC, and of each of the different boards of the countries, and make sure that we’re still striving to get, first and foremost, more girls in the game, but making sure there’s equal opportunities across the board for each country and the females as well.”

Challenges and expectations in the Hundred

Last year, several of Australia’s top female talents withdrew from the Hundred, partly due to the lucrative opportunities in the WPL, where the average spend on 14 Australian players exceeded £100,000 each. Additionally, their primary focus during the off-season was the Women’s Ashes in June and July, a series that proved to be one of the most competitive in recent years. England leveled the multi-format series at 8-8, marking the closest Australia had come to losing the Ashes since 2013-14.

As the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh approaches in October, Mooney remains unfazed by the increased competition, viewing it as a natural outcome of the sport’s growing global popularity. Unlike in the men’s game, where franchise teammates often avoid facing each other in nets to maintain secrecy before international tournaments, Mooney does not anticipate such issues with her England teammates Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer, who will join her at Manchester Originals.

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Mooney is aware of the high expectations surrounding her return to the Hundred, fueled by her substantial contract and her impressive past performance in the competition. Her memorable innings of 97 not out from 55 balls for London Spirit against Southern Brave in 2022 remains a highlight, at the time the highest score in the tournament’s history. As she takes the field again, Mooney is set to make an impact both on and off the pitch, championing the cause of equal pay in women’s cricket.

Beth Mooney, serving as both captain and opener for the Gujarat Giants (GG) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024, exhibited remarkable leadership by guiding her team to a competitive total of 152 for 8 after choosing to bat first against the UP Warriorz (UPW). Throughout the innings, Mooney’s steadfastness in the face of challenges was evident, establishing her as a pivotal figure for her team.

Although Beth Mooney’s fifty runs didn’t come swiftly, her innings highlighted her determination as she achieved her third consecutive score of 50 or more, accumulating 74 runs off 52 deliveries, which included 10 boundaries and a maximum. Despite Sophie Ecclestone’s early dominance with three wickets for just 17 runs in her initial three overs, Mooney responded assertively by taking on the spinner herself, amassing 21 runs in the final over.

Shabnam Shakil’s Bowling Brilliance Restricts UP Warriorz in WPL Clash

The UP Warriorz exhibited resilience in their response to GG’s total, particularly led by Laura Wolvaardt’s 43 runs. However, GG experienced UPW’s resurgence as they first took 3 wickets for 13 runs and then further exploited with 4 wickets for 18 runs in the latter stages of the innings.

Initially, Gujarat Giants’ total of 152 seemed modest, but Beth Mooney’s late flourish bolstered their score, making it a more challenging target for UP Warriorz to chase down.

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At the latest update, UP Warriorz commenced their chase but encountered significant setbacks, losing five crucial wickets already while managing only 75 runs in thirteen overs. Key players such as skipper Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, and Shweta Sehrawat were dismissed early on. Shabnam Md Shakil claimed three wickets, with Kathryn Bryce and Ashleigh Gardner securing one each.

In a high-scoring encounter, Gujarat Giants secured a 19-run victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore, thanks to stellar performances by Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney. The duo’s formidable partnership of 140 runs wreaked havoc on the RCB bowling attack, propelling the Giants to a challenging total. Wolvaardt’s aggressive innings of 76 off 45 balls and Mooney’s impressive 85 off 51 deliveries displayed their dominance with the bat.

Laura Wolvaardt showcased a masterful innings, scoring a fluent 76 off 45 balls with precision in her shot selection, accumulating 13 fours without resorting to aggressive strokes. Beth Mooney complemented Wolvaardt’s innings by ensuring swift runs between the wickets, allowing Wolvaardt to dominate against the quicks. Mooney, known for her consistency, tactically paced her innings, turning a 21-ball 32 into a composed 82 off 51 balls, showcasing her proficiency in scoring against spinners. 

In contrast, Smriti Mandhana’s team experienced a challenging day as none of their batters managed to convert starts into substantial innings. This inability to build significant partnerships allowed the Gujarat Giants to assert control by consistently taking wickets. Despite a late onslaught from Georgia Wareham, who scored a rapid 48 off 22 balls, the valiant effort proved futile in preventing a comprehensive defeat for Smriti Mandhana’s side.

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Deconstructing the Deadly Partnership of Laura and Mooney

Laura Wolvaardt showcased an impressive display of calculated strokeplay, notably different from her performances in previous games. Her ability to find gaps in the field without relying solely on aggression, demonstrated a refined shot selection. In partnership with Beth Mooney, the duo’s collaborative efforts propelled the Gujarat Giants to a formidable total.

The Gujarat Giants’ openers showcased a significant improvement in their powerplay performance as they scored 51 runs in the first six overs, laying a solid foundation for the team. This marked a notable shift from their previous performances in the tournament. In this instance, Laura Wolvaardt took on the aggressive charge, amassing 32 runs off 22 balls, featuring three well-placed fours. Meanwhile, Beth Mooney played the anchor role, contributing 19 runs off 14 balls, embellished with five fours. 

During the middle overs, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney seamlessly continued their respective roles, contributing significantly to the Gujarat Giants’ innings. Laura displayed her attacking ability, amassing 44 runs off 23 balls, featuring an impressive count of eight fours. Simultaneously, Beth Mooney played a complementary role, scoring 31 runs off 19 balls, including five boundaries.

Their combined efforts in the middle phase resulted in a substantial contribution of 75 runs in 7 overs, setting the stage for the Giants’ strong total. The cohesive partnership demonstrated a strategic and well-executed approach by the openers during different phases of the innings.

In a convincing display, the Gujarat Giants secured a significant victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore with a well-coordinated effort from their openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney. The duo showcased a balanced blend of calculated stroke play and strategic batting roles. Wolvaardt’s aggressive charge, marked by well-placed shots, was complemented by Mooney’s anchor role, providing stability to the innings.

Ever since its inception in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), it has been one of the significant bricks in the growth and reach of Indian female cricket. From the promising performances of the emerging players to the display of pure class calibre by the experienced players, the tournament has been a gateway for the impeccable display of cricket talent.

As the tournament gears up for its second edition in the coming few days, all five teams have created robust arsenals in the auction process and are geared up for the intriguing and intense clashes. With all five teams making their final squads for the coming few days of the WPL 2024, here are the top players from each participating team to check out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil demonstrated her bowling skills during the WPL 2023 season, taking six wickets in 7 matches with an average of 32.00. Her impressive performance for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023 as the best wicket-taker with an economy rate of 5.83 demonstrates her significance as a reliable bowler in critical situations. Patil’s ability to develop breakthroughs under duress makes her a valuable asset to the team. She can be a spinmeister for the RCB in the long run, especially after a mediocre inaugural run and enhancement of expectations for the second edition.

Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the English cricketer, has emerged as a vital role in the Mumbai Indians Women’s team. Sciver performed excellently in the last WPL season, scoring 332 runs in 10 games at a fantastic average of 66.40 and a stunning strike rate of 140.08.

Her recent performances in the T20I series in India and the WBBL 2023/24 season highlight her place in the team’s batting order. And it is not a surprise that the defending champions would keep their performance consistent with the help of a top-notch squad.

See also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/wpl-2024-top-3-contenders-to-win-the-purple-cap

Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning

Meg Lanning, an experienced 31-year-old Australian cricketer, will exhibit her hitting prowess in the forthcoming 2024 Women’s Premier League season. Lanning’s ability to perform under duress is demonstrated by his remarkable aggregate of 345 runs in nine outings.

With an average of 49.29 and an excellent strike rate of 139.11, her leadership and hitting skills are expected to be critical in guiding her team to success. As a seasoned campaigner and the leading run-scorer in the 2023 season, Lanning brings skill and leadership to the Delhi Capitals Women, where she hopes to guide her side to success.

UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy

The dynamic captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, is a shining example of consistency and intensity in the UP Warriorz team. Her outstanding results in the last WPL season, when she scored 253 runs in 9 matches with a fantastic strike rate of 141.34, highlight her importance as a top-order hitter.

With a strong track record in international cricket and a flair for excelling under pressure, Healy exemplifies the team’s aggressive style at the crease. Her achievements on the pitch have undoubtedly aided UP Warriorz Women’s campaign, displaying her potential to thrive in the WPL’s fierce competition.

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney, an accomplished Australian cricketer, adds extensive expertise to the Gujarat Giants. As a consistent opener, Mooney’s dependability and aggressiveness have the potential to stabilise the team’s batting lineup and successfully anchor innings. Her recent outstanding performance in WBBL 2023-2024, when she scored the most runs in the competition, demonstrates her capacity to dominate the field.

Though her injury hampered her prospects of playing in the inaugural edition, it is clear that the top T20I women’s batter would leave no stone unturned in displaying her calibre to the Gujarat Giants, who are seeking to turn the tables after their forgettable first season.