New World Cup to be a game changer

The new women's World Cup unveiled by the International Cricket Council earlier this month could prove a game changer when it comes to identifying the next generation of superstars, Australia coach Matthew Mott believes.

To be held at a yet-to-be-determined location in 2021, the new age-group women's World Cup is likely to be contested between under-19s teams, as is the case with the equivalent men's tournament.

While details including the event's format and competing teams are still to be fleshed out, Mott is excited by its potential to strengthen the pathway from underage cricket to the elite level.

"I think that (World Cup) is huge," Mott told cricket.com.au. "They'll basically come out of school and go onto the world stage.

"It'll be a really good indicator on some of these players and how we can invest in them in the future.

"You don't know how players are going to cope with the extra stress and demands of touring unless they've done it.

"It's a huge part of being an international player, being able adapting to different cultures and venues, travel and play.

"That can sort very good players out from the greats and the better opportunities we can give younger players to get out of their comfort zone and try and adapt as quickly as possible, the better players they'll be when they come into our (Australian) environment."

Cricket Australia have helped lead the push for the new tournament, with Australia legend Belinda Clark – who sits on the ICC's Cricket Committee – excited about the opportunities it could provide for players around the world.

"It's excellent, the ICC has been working on it for a little while, and it's nice it's come to fruition," Clark, who is Cricket Australia's Interim Executive General Manager, Team Performance, told cricket.com.au.

"It's great news. It will involve underage teams, essentially Under-19s teams, in a world event in 2021.

"It's been talked about in the Women's Committee at the ICC for quite a number of years.

"I think it'll provide an opportunity for every country to create a really robust pathway … and that's the benefit that'll (flow on) to the international game at a later point."

CA has been leading the way worldwide when it comes to the pathway for its top young female players.

The introduction of the Rebel WBBL in 2015-16 and more recently, semi-professional contracts for domestic players, has ensured the tier below the full-time professional Australian team is stronger than ever.

Last year, Australia sent an Under-19s team on an overseas tour for the first time, while a second group travelled to New Zealand earlier this month. Previously, the under-23 Shooting Stars team had travelled overseas to nurture up-and-coming talent.

Last year also saw the first official women's 'A' tour since a restructure of the National Talent Pathway, while an agreement has been formed with the Board of Control for Cricket in India that will see annual contests between Australia A and India A.

"(Those tours) are absolutely critical if you're going to create a genuine pathway," Mott said. "You've got to give players the opportunity to develop, particularly overseas."

CA will soon announce the third intake of its women's National Performance Squad, a program that sees a group of up-and-coming players spend two months at Brisbane's Bupa National Performance Centre training under high performances coaches and alongside Australian-contracted players during the winter.

Recent graduates of the program include Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck, who both made their international debuts late last year.

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

First ODI Grace Road, Leicester, July 2

Second ODI Grace Road, Leicester, July 4

Third ODI St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, July 7

Test The County Ground, Taunton, July 18-21

First T20 County Ground, Chelmsford, July 26

Second T20 The County Ground, Hove, July 28

Third T20 Bristol County Ground, Bristol, July 31