Bethany Louise Mooney, born on 14th January 1994, is an Australian professional cricketer known for her prowess as a batter in all three formats of the game. She has not only made her mark at the national level but also excelled in domestic cricket, representing Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers as a wicket-keeper-batter. Mooney’s journey to cricketing stardom is one marked by dedication and an unwavering passion for the sport.
Early Life and Beginnings
Beth Mooney was born in Shepparton, Victoria, and from a young age, her life was filled with a love for sports. She dabbled in various sports, including soccer, tennis, and Australian rules football. However, her fate took a turn when, at just eight years old, she was invited to fill in for her brother’s cricket team. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a remarkable cricketing journey.
Her family later moved to Hervey Bay, Queensland, where she continued her sports-filled life. Beth’s mornings were spent riding bikes along the Esplanade and kayaking with her father and their loyal dog. However, her true cricketing journey in Queensland began when she was identified as the best catcher during the Hervey Bay Zone trials. Encouraged by her coach, she transitioned to wicket-keeping and soon found herself representing Queensland Primary School girls’ team, marking the beginning of her cricketing career.
Despite the absence of girls’ cricket teams in rural areas, Beth continued to play for Hervey Bay’s boys’ Cavaliers team until she turned 18. Her passion for the game and the camaraderie she found within the cricketing community kept her motivated. She viewed interstate girls’ cricket as a significant step up from the boys’ cricket she played in Hervey Bay, fueling her aspirations to one day represent Australia.
The Path to Success
After completing school, Beth Mooney initially pursued a teaching degree. However, she made a life-changing decision in 2014 to focus solely on cricket, realizing that she had only one chance to make her mark in the sport she loved.
Domestic Career
Beth Mooney’s domestic career took off when she made her debut for the Queensland Fire in the Women’s National Cricket League shortly after turning 16 in 2010. Currently, she plays a pivotal role as a wicket-keeper-batter for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers.
One of her most memorable moments came during the 2018-19 Women’s Big Bash League season (WBBL|04) while playing for the Brisbane Heat. In the WBBL|04 final, despite battling illness and some on-field banter, Beth Mooney’s brilliant knock of 65 runs from 46 balls led her team to a historic victory, clinching their maiden Women’s Big Bash title.
Notably, on 21st November 2020, she became the first player to amass 3000 runs in the Women’s Big Bash League competition, underlining her consistency and dominance in domestic cricket.
International Stardom
Beth Mooney’s international journey has been equally impressive. She was a part of the Southern Stars squad that triumphed in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Her debut for the Australia women’s national cricket team came in a Twenty20 match against India on 26th January 2016 at the Adelaide Oval.
In 2017, she achieved a significant milestone by scoring her maiden Women’s One Day International (WODI) century against New Zealand. This feat established her as a formidable force in women’s cricket. Her consistent performances during the 2016-17 season earned her a spot in the team for the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup in England.
Beth Mooney’s cricketing repertoire expanded further when she made her Test debut against England in the Women’s Ashes in November 2017.
In recognition of her outstanding performances, she won the ICC T20I Player of the Year and Emerging Player of the Year awards in December 2017. This marked her emergence as a rising star in international cricket.
Her remarkable journey continued as she was named in Australia’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies. Cricket Australia awarded her a contract for the 2018-19 season, solidifying her position as one of the top cricketers in the country.
In January 2020, Beth Mooney played a pivotal role in Australia’s victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Her partnership with Alyssa Healy yielded 151 runs, a record for Australia Women in WT20I cricket. In the final, she top-scored with an unbeaten 78 off 54 balls, securing Australia’s fifth title. Her outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned her the player of the tournament accolade.
A Promising Future
Beth Mooney’s ambitions in cricket remain high, with her sights set on becoming the national team’s first-choice wicket-keeper. Her remarkable performances have not gone unnoticed, as she was named the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2020 and 2022.
In 2022, she played a pivotal role in Australia’s victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, cementing her status as a cricketing icon.
Off the field, Beth Mooney has embraced her newfound fame with humility, preferring to stay grounded despite her exceptional success.
Honors
Beth Mooney’s list of honors is extensive and includes three ICC Women’s World Twenty20 titles, a Women’s Cricket World Cup title, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, and three Women’s Big Bash League titles. She has also been recognized individually with awards such as the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World, ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Player of the Tournament, and the Commonwealth Games Player of the Gold Medal Match.
Bethany Louise Mooney’s journey from a young girl playing multiple sports to becoming one of the world’s leading women cricketers is a testament to her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the game. Her achievements continue to inspire aspiring cricketers, and her future in cricket promises even more success and records.
