BRISBANE, 14 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Australia’s star batter and wicketkeeper Beth Mooney is targeting the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup and a potential appearance at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as she prepares to reach the milestone of 100 One-Day Internationals. The 32-year-old is set to achieve the landmark in Wednesday’s third and final ODI against Bangladesh at Allan Border Field, with Australia already securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Mooney has scored 3,288 runs at an average of 49.81 in the format, including six centuries, placing her seventh on Australia’s all-time ODI run-scoring list. Australia’s semi-final defeat to India at the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup remains a source of disappointment for Mooney, who hopes to help her team reclaim the title in 2029. She said the loss in India had left the team bitterly disappointed, adding that winning the 50-over World Cup remained an important ambition. Australia have since won the Women’s T20 World Cup, with Mooney contributing 238 runs in seven innings, including an unbeaten 64 in the final against England. However, the left-handed batter is determined to add the 50-over world title to her achievements and hopes to maintain the form required to earn selection for the 2029 tournament.

Mooney also believes the prospect of competing at the Olympic Games could encourage players to extend their international careers. Cricket is scheduled to feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and could also be part of the Brisbane 2032 Games. If she remains in international cricket until then, Mooney could have the opportunity to compete on home soil at the age of 38. She acknowledged that the Brisbane Games were still some years away but said her immediate focus remained on contributing to Australia’s success and helping younger players develop. Mooney also praised the aggressive approach of young Australian openers Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield, who shared a 162-run partnership in Australia’s nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second ODI. She noted that the 50-over format was becoming more modern, with younger batters increasingly willing to attack and put pressure on opposition teams. Australia will next face New Zealand in a three-match home T20 International series before turning their attention to the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled for early next year.