Fearless factor behind Aussie dominance
AS the Australians head into a crucial four-day Test against India on the Gold Coast tomorrow, injured vice-captain Rachael Haynes revealed her teammates would continue to be fearless.
Haynes (pictured), who has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, revealed the team’s value system stemmed back to the 2017 one-day World Cup in England, when the Australians lost their semi-final to India despite being heavy favourites.
The loss forced the side into a period of soul-searching and help sculpt the Australian women’s team into being the world’s No.1 side.
“One of the things we identified as a group was that we wanted to be more fearless in how we played and every player went away and had a think about what their fearless self looks like,” she said.
“Each individual now recognises how important their contribution is to the success of us as a group.
“(For me) I can’t play the same way that Alyssa Healy does, but I can still be fearless with the kind of shots I play, how my body language looks when I’m playing like that.
“So anyone new who comes into the squad, we get them to articulate what their fearless self looks like and it’s a really good way to connect players who come into the team environment.”
The bowling group has had its succession planning accelerated during the series because of the withdrawal of top bowlers Megan Schutt (personal reasons) and Jess Jonassen (shin injury).
It has resulted in Stella Campbell and Hannah Darlington making debuts, as well as teenager Darcie Brown playing her second and third ODIs in Australian colours.