Shelley Nitschke will continue as Australia women’s head coach until June 2029 after agreeing a three-year contract extension, with the team preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Nitschke succeeded Matthew Mott following Australia’s 2022 ODI World Cup triumph and has since guided the side to Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and the 2023 T20 World Cup title. Australia remain ranked No.1 in both women’s ODIs and T20Is, although they have missed the final in each of their last two global tournaments.
They were beaten by South Africa in the semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE before suffering another semi-final defeat against India at the 2025 ODI World Cup.
Despite those setbacks, Nitschke has been handed a new three-year deal as she gets ready to lead Australia into the 2026 T20 World Cup under new captain Sophie Molineux.
“It’s a privilege to continue coaching this team and working with such an outstanding group of players and staff,” Nitschke said. “We’ve achieved a great deal together, but there’s also enormous motivation around what this group can accomplish in the years ahead.
“There are some major events and exciting challenges on the horizon and I’m looking forward to helping guide the team through the next phase.”
Nitschke’s next contract period is also expected to involve further transition. That process has already started following Alyssa Healy’s retirement, while Ellyse Perry’s future remains uncertain as she is set to turn 36 later this year.
Georgia Voll, 22, has established herself across all three formats during Nitschke’s time in charge, while 19-year-old Lucy Hamilton has also made her debut in each format this year.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said Nitschke would play a key role as the squad continues to evolve.
“I am delighted Shelley will remain at the helm of the Australian team for the next three years,” Greenberg said.
“Shelley has overseen some outstanding achievements and helped ensure the team’s number one world ranking has been maintained throughout her time as coach.
“She is also successfully guiding a period of transition with some brilliant young players joining the team from the large pool of women and girls now participating in our game.”
