Mooney ready to live up to T20 tag

Beth Mooney admits the title of 'T20 Player of the Year' has brought with it a little added pressure this year, but the Australia opener is determined to live up to the hype at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

Mooney was crowned the International Cricket Council’s best T20 cricketer of 2017 last December, thanks to her outstanding performances during the Women’s Ashes last November where she smashed unbeaten knocks of 86 and 117.

The Queenslander has enjoyed a breakout year in green and gold, scoring 340 runs at 68 in T20s since the start of the Ashes. She’s scored a combined 430 runs across both T20s and ODIs in that time – only Alyssa Healy has scored more – and that’s despite missing three of the six one-dayers Australia’s played in that period.

"Looking at the schedule last year we only played a few T20s so it’s hard I guess to take the title," Mooney told cricket.com.au, adding the ICC crown had brought with it a "little bit" of added pressure.

"But you can’t really hide in international cricket anymore, so regardless of whether you’ve won anything or not, teams are starting to learn that you have to look into every player.

"That’s not something that I’m too concerned about because I think it already happens in domestic cricket here.

"You’re always being challenged against different plans, different attacks.

"I’m really looking forward to the next 12 to 18 months to see if I can take my game to another level and hopefully help Australia win a few titles along the way."

Mooney has formed a potent opening partnership with Healy in Australia’s T20 XI over the last 12 months, while she’s also impressed lower down the order in the one-day team since forcing her way back into side in India in March.

The opening role is a role Mooney relishes, and one she’s focused on holding for a long as possible.

"I think I’ve nailed and sort of cemented that spot and that role," she said.

"I think I’m in a position now where I could bat anywhere if they asked me to.

"It’s always a nice place to bat in T20 cricket with only two fielders out so hopefully I don’t give that up too soon, but we’ll see what happens."

The Commonwealth Bank Women’s T20I series against New Zealand begins with a blockbuster clash under the North Sydney Oval lights this Saturday.

The game will be broadcast on the Seven Network and Fox Sports immediately following the Australian Football League Grand Final and Mooney can’t wait to return to the ground she where she scored 86no against England last November.

"It’s a decent wicket to bat on," she said. "Hopefully we can produce another win like the one during the Ashes.

"I think everyone’s really excited to get out to North Sydney, especially (playing after) the AFL Grand Final.

"Hopefully we get a few viewers watching us on TV and at the ground."

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra