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'Fearless' Aussies out to reclaim mantle

Matthew Mott wants to see his star-studded batting line-up push the boundaries as Australia embark on a mission to reclaim their world champions status

Australia coach Matthew Mott has called on his batters to be bold and push the boundaries as they look to reassert themselves at the top of world cricket.

The Southern Stars will embark on a limited-overs tour of India early next month, where they’ll play three ODIs and a T20I tri-series also featuring England.

It’s the first step on a journey the Australians hope will result in World T20 glory in the Caribbean in November as they attempt to win back the title they surrendered to West Indies in 2016.

They’re also aiming to regain the ICC No.1 ranking they relinquished to England at the end of the Ashes. While Australia retained the treasured trophy when the series ended locked at eight points apiece, England’s 2-1 win in the T20 portion was enough to push them marginally above their fierce rivals in the rankings.

Longer term, they also have one eye on the World T20 in 2020, where they hope to claim the title in front of a home crowd at the MCG.

To achieve these goals, Australia need to turn around what’s been a disappointing record in the 20-over game in recent years: they last won a bilateral T20I series in mid-2015, beating Ireland away from home.

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Since then, they’ve suffered defeats to England (twice), New Zealand (twice) and India.

However, Mott believes his team is on the right track.

Six of the top seven spots in the Rebel WBBL run-scoring table were occupied by Australian players, in a pleasing show of form ahead of the India tour.

Now, Mott wants his team to use that depth to their advantage.

“One thing we’ve talked about as a batting group is backing our depth,” Mott told cricket.com.au.

“We have players down at nine and 10 who are capable of making significant contributions with the bat.

“So it’s about being prepared to lose a few more wickets to get those bigger scores.

“The best example we’ve seen in a batting innings was our third match (against England in the Ashes), but we didn’t extend it enough to put England out of the game.

“International teams are showing that if they come ready to take the game on, the skill gap can be nullified.

“As a whole group we need to be prepared to just go that little bit hard with bat and ball, back our variations and be prepared to make a few mistakes.

“I’ve spoken to the senior players and said that’s where we’ve scratched the surface, but we need to continue to be bold and fearless.

“Hopefully that’s something you’ll see a lot more in the next two years.

“We’ve had games where it doesn’t go to plan and it doesn’t look great, but we’re prepared to take it on a lot more.”

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And Mott says he’ll back his players, even when things don’t go to plan.

“We want to have some continuity and structure heading into a World Cup and we want to play with that no fear mentality, that fearless approach we’ve spoken about,” he said.

“We need to encourage players to push the boundaries a bit.

“That’s not always going to come off but we think now is the time to pick players who want to take the game on and stick with them.

“It’s not perfect, they’re going to make mistakes, but if we believe they’re going to make an impact in the next two years then there’s an opportunity to ride those ups and downs.”

Australia’s top players are in action in the final round of the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League this weekend, before the national selectors sit down on Monday to choose their ODI and T20 touring groups for India.

Australia tour of India

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 8

Warm-up match v India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai, March 6

ODI series

First ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 12

Second ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 15

Third ODI Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, March 18

T20I tri-series

First T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 22

Second T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 23

Third T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 25

Fourth T20I Australia v India, Brabourne Stadium, March 26

Fifth T20I Australia v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 28

Sixth T20I India v England, Brabourne Stadium, March 29

Final Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 31