Beth Mooney, the once-fabled Australian cricketer, has achieved a stellar comeback. She fought back after a life-changing injury that almost ended her career in January 2022. During batting practice, she was hit and fractured her jaw, an injury that would alter her life and career forever. Mooney’s resilience shines through as she navigates the challenges posed by her injury, which required the insertion of titanium plates in her face—two near her chin and one near her ear.
In those first two weeks post-surgery, Mooney was under strict limitations. She was barely able to open her mouth and could only eat milkshakes and mashed potatoes. Though her plans were derailed, nothing could shake her resolve to fight her way back to the pitch.
Mooney’s cricketing journey is impressive. She has represented Australia in four World Cups, secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and claimed victory in three Ashes series. She’s approaching the enviable landmark of 6,000 international runs. With every innings, she cements her status as one of the great forces in women’s cricket.
Earlier this year, Mooney hit an astounding milestone. She has since gone on to be the first Australian woman to score 100 in all three formats of the game. Her run-scoring form and burning competitive drive have guaranteed her place in the pantheon of Australian cricket greats.
“I’ve got titanium plates in my face, two down here near my chin and one up near my ear,” Mooney remarked about her injury. Her honesty illustrates the physical cost that sport demands from athletes. It serves to highlight her incredible strength as a survivor and thriver despite the odds stacked against her.
Mooney is hugely passionate about her work. She goes about her work as an important cog in what most pundits regard as a brilliant generational T20 Australian cricket team. She goes on to say that she wants everyone to work just as hard, just as committed on her team. “There’s a real sense of pride with the way we work,” she stated. This ethos creates a culture where every individual player is self-motivated to practice and get better.
Mooney’s recent performances have been noteworthy. In the third T20 international of Australia’s 16-0 thrashing of the 2025 Women’s Ashes she produced a match-winning spell. She stole the show with a colossal inning of 94 runs. That victory represented the first time ever! No other Australian player had hit so many runs in a T20 match without 4s or 6s.
I pride myself on my supreme selflessness. To play at this level, you need a little bit of that selfishness too. Mooney elaborated, stressing the fine line between collective goals and individual drive that professional sports often require to thrive. Her ability to drop her own agenda for what’s best for the team’s success but still pursue her individual goals illustrates the type of person she is.
While Mooney’s path to the Aussie squad was a little rocky, she was mostly a run machine. She’s had to always be on the offensive to defend her post, showing and re-showing her capabilities over and over again. “You know that if you let your guard down slightly, it doesn’t take much for someone who’s playing really well in domestic cricket to take your spot,” she noted. This competitive spirit has driven her to constantly improve her game.
For all that she has accomplished, though, Mooney is clear-eyed about the future. She is happy to be the unsung hero, without the desire to steal center stage. “It might be your day but it probably won’t be, so you’ve really got to jump on board with your teammates and enjoy seeing their success,” she remarked, demonstrating her dedication to collective achievement over individual recognition.
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