A record breaking start to 2020 has seen Beth Mooney build on her dominant 2019 form, becoming the first woman ever to accumulate more than 250 runs in a T20 World Cup campaign- but the influence of coach Matthew Mott in transforming Mooney’s fortunes has been recognised by the 26 year-old.

It was Mott who handed Mooney her debut aged 22 back in 2016, following an injury to Alyssa Healy, but now both Mooney and Healy spearhead what is an unparalleled Australian batting lineup.

Since the start of 2019, Mooney has scored 723 runs in 20 T20’s at an average of close to 50, led the Brisbane Heat to back to back Big Bash titles and scooped numerous accolades, including the player of the tournament award at the recent T20 World Cup. Mooney however, told Women’s CricZone that the reason for her outstanding form was down to the Australian head coach who had “given her more opportunities than anyone else.”

Mooney claims she does not deserve the accolades, although she unquestionably does so. At present she is the number one ranked T20 batter in the world and is still only 26 years of age. “You reap the rewards of the investment and that’s what Motty has done with me,” she said. “So it is probably more his award than mine, to be honest.”

Having established herself as arguably the best batter in World Cricket at the moment, Mooney is high in demand for many franchise sides, and has been picked up by the Welsh Fire for this season’s inaugural season of The Hundred. Whether that tournament will go ahead this year has not yet been confirmed, but if it does, Mooney will inevitably be one of the stars of the show.