25 cricket (women’s) high performance P Total investment (Cricket Australia) 2016–17: $1,134,249 (high performance: $197,749; participation $712,500; other: $224,000) ASC funding as a percentage of total income: Less than 1% The Australian Women’s Cricket Team did not achieve its benchmark event target for 2016, defeated by the West Indies in the final of the T20 World Cup Final. However, the team continues to produce results at major tournaments, a testament to the improved culture and leadership within the group. Team preparation leading into the T20 World Cup was excellent with the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League season and playing India at home and New Zealand away for three matches. Match strategy and the execution of game tactics are areas for ongoing focus. Over the four-year cycle, the women’s team achieved its goal of becoming the No. 1 ranked team in the three forms of women’s cricket by winning the Ashes Series against England in 2015 while it was also T20 World Cup champions and one-day international world champions. Matthew Mott was appointed head coach for the Ashes series after the highly regarded and successful Cathryn Fitzpatrick moved to an elite development pathway role. Cricket Australia’s greater investment in underpinning state programs are showing results with young quality athletes coming through the athlete pathway and increased numbers across junior programs. There are still concerns on the ability of batters being able to play against quality spin bowling however, specific camps conducted at the centre of excellence and in Sri Lanka are improving this skillset. The average age of the team is 24 with two players over 30 in the team, auguring well for the next four to six years as the younger players in the squad gain experience. Cricket Australia’s introduction of player contracts through this cycle has enabled athletes to transition into the full-time domain enabling a greater development pathway and work, training and life balance. Governance commentary When benchmarked against Australia’s Winning Edge sports, Cricket Australia is performing well against the ASC’s Mandatory Sports Governance Principles. Cricket has implemented the required systems and process relating to anti-doping, anti-match-fixing, sports science and sports medicine. To achieve greater compliance with the principles, Cricket would need to make some limited changes to its constitution. 2016 benchmark event // Women’s Twenty20 World Cup medal target 1 actual gold 0 silver 1 bronze 0 total 1