In today's news: Beth Mooney scoops Wisden Almanack's Leading Women's Cricketer award, Alex Scott prepares to take over as host of Football Focus and Aston Villa will host West Ham at Villa Park in May.

Beth Mooney named Leading Women’s Cricketer

Wisden Almanack has awarded Beth Mooney the title of Leading Women's Cricketer in the world for 2020. The annual publication has acknowledged the Australian international's stellar timeline over the last 12 months, including her astonishing achievement of being named the number one T20 batter in the world.

Between the 2017/18 Ashes and the end of 2020, Mooney scored a total of 1,350 runs in 20-over internationals, which is more than any other male or female cricketer in the world. The 27-year-old rose into the spotlight once more in the final of the Women’s Big Bash League in 2019. Mooney won Player of the Match in the December final as Brisbane Heat defended their title.

The 2021 edition of Wisden Almanack names Mooney as their latest all-round established female cricketer. She takes over the status from fellow Aussie Ellyse Perry, who scooped the award for 2019.