Australia’s journey in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup ended in the semi-finals, a stage where they were eliminated by the eventual champions, India. This outcome, following an undefeated group stage, means Australia will miss consecutive ICC event finals for the first time in over a decade.
However, Matthew Mott, who previously coached the Australian women’s team, remains steadfast in his belief in their resilience and talent. He views the current squad as exceptionally strong and well-balanced, equipped with numerous game-changing players. “It’s certainly no cause for panic stations,” Mott reassured, noting that the team has depth with talents like Phoebe Litchfield stepping up with significant performances, including a semi-final century.
Mott drew upon past experiences, particularly the team’s response to a 2017 World Cup semi-final defeat. He suggested that such disappointments, while painful, can be transformative. “It’s going to hurt, but as we found in 2017 sometimes those things happen for a reason and can motivate you and kick you to even higher levels,” he stated.
While acknowledging India’s skillful pursuit of a high target in the semi-final, Mott continues to regard Australia as the benchmark in women’s international cricket. He believes this recent setback will serve as a significant motivator for the team as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including a multi-format series against India on home soil and the 2025 T20 World Cup.