A great’s milestone beckons, but will Brisbane 2032 keep Australia’s elite around?

As Beth Mooney prepares to join illustrious company, she hinted that the allure of a home Olympics could prolong her career and those of her fellow veterans, as cricket vies to defend its looming Games berth for Brisbane 2032.

On Wednesday, when the third one-day international against Bangladesh begins at Allan Border Field in Albion, Mooney will become the 10th woman to reach the 100-game milestone – an accolade shared with teammates Ellyse Perry (170) and Megan Schutt (113).

The former Brisbane Heat star landed on the radar after her family moved from Victoria to Hervey Bay, where her elite catching and natural batting talent caught the eye. Now, of those to reach a century of caps, she trails only Meg Lanning for batting averages (53.51 versus 49.81).

“It’s pretty amazing, and a good opportunity to reflect on what’s been sometimes challenging, but a lot of fun for a period of time in my life,” said Mooney, who has averaged less than 40 with the bat in the 50-over format in just three of her 11 years as an international cricketer (2016, 2020, 2024).

“It’s hard to believe 100 games have passed, but I’m proud of what the team has achieved in that time, the journeys we’ve been on in different groups, and the role I’ve played in that success along the way.

“I like to think I’m pretty level when I play my cricket, I don’t get too up or too down, but I also can’t take too much of the credit. I’ve certainly had a significant amount of help along the way.”

While the third and final clash with Bangladesh will be Australia’s last ODI hit out until the 2027 Champions Trophy in February, each contest will serve a greater purpose as preparation ahead of the Ashes next year and a bumper 2028.

A T20 World Cup in Pakistan will take place that year, as will T20 cricket’s first appearance at the Olympics in Los Angeles, which will run from July 14 to July 30.

There is no guarantee the sport will be re-included for Brisbane 2032. However, it is likely to be high on the radar, with the card of events expected to be unveiled either later this year or in the first quarter of 2027.

Should cricket earn a place, Mackay has been slated as a candidate to host fixtures, with the town’s hope strengthened when Great Barrier Reef Arena fielded the second men’s Test between Australia and Bangladesh.

Regional cities such as Rockhampton (rowing) and Toowoomba (equestrian) have already been declared host venues.

“Our main aim in 2032 when cricket is announced as a sport … is cricket is played here,” Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson told this masthead in August.

“Can the grounds host it? Absolutely they can. Can the city host it? That’s what we’re proving. Will our hospitality system, will our restaurant system, will our accommodation system work to accommodate it? Absolutely.

“Great Barrier Reef Arena and the city will be ready. Whatever we’ve got to do to get there, we’re willing to do it.”

By the time the Games arrive in Queensland, Mooney will be 38. But as she continues to perform at the peak of her powers – currently ranked the world’s best T20 batter and third for ODIs – the 2026 World Cup Player of the Final insists she will not entertain retirement.

That, she said, would likely be a sentiment shared by her fellow senior teammates.

However, she stopped short of declaring she would certainly still be playing by 2032, instead casting her eye towards ODI World Cup redemption in 2029, after Australia’s semi-final exit against eventual champions India last year.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead because it can feel a little bit overwhelming at times, with the different tournaments and franchise cricket that’s in our schedule, but certainly, the Olympics is definitely an enticing one for players to hang around a bit longer,” Mooney said.

“We’re obviously seeing the game a bit more modern and are remunerated well, so it’s probably more likely people will start retiring a bit later. But I think the exciting part is there’s always something on the calendar, so it’d be pretty hard to retire at this point.

“I think for me, it’s been about, ‘Am I contributing to the success of the teams that I play for in a positive way?’ If I’m still doing that in a few more years, then hopefully, I’m still around, but that’s a long way away.”

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