Mott named new Southern Stars coach

Former Queensland and Victoria batsman Matthew Mott has been named the new head coach of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars.

Mott will replace Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who earlier this month announced she would not be renewing her contract when it expires in May.

A fast bowler who represented her country in 13 Tests and 109 ODIs, Fitzpatrick took over the coaching reins in May 2007 and oversaw three successful ICC World Cup titles in her three-year tenure before deciding to focus her efforts on coaching at the youth level.

The first challenge for 41-year-old Mott will be to lead the Australia women's side to a victory against England in the Woman's Ashes series later this year.

"It really is an exciting time for women's cricket in Australia, so to have the chance to build on the team's already impressive playing record is something I'm looking forward to, particularly as we head into the 2015 Women's Ashes Series," Mott said.

"I'm really excited about this great opportunity to work with such a fine group of players."

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are currently ranked No.1 in the world in both the ODI and T20 formats.

Cricket Australia's Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard pointed to Mott's extensive experience across a number of countries in all formats, and his ability to develop players.

"The next three years are very important for the team, and Matthew has signed on to guide them through the 2015 Women's Ashes, the 2016 ICC Women's World Twenty20 and the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup," said Howard.

Mott is well known in domestic cricket circles having played for both Queensland and Victoria before switching to coaching roles.

He guided NSW to Sheffield Shield victory in his first year as head coach in 2007-08 and guided the side to a Big Bash Twenty20 title in 2008-09 and the Champions League Twenty20 in late 2009.

Mott also has extensive international coaching experience. He spent three years as head of elite performance at Glamorgan County Cricket Club and was instrumental in leading the UK county side to a Lord's final in 2013, for only a third time in the club's history.

Mott also worked as an assistant coach with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, with the Australian men's side and with the Sydney Sixers in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Most recently he completed a stint as assistant coach for Ireland, working with their batsmen both in the lead-up to and during the side's ICC Cricket World Cup campaign.

Mott will take up his new role on March 30.

"Having spent a lot of time in the last 12 months working with female players in the Australian Cricket Pathway I am very excited by the developing talent and the next generation of elite players," Mott said.

Cricket Australia today also announced the 18 players who will be offered CA contracts for 2015-16. Among the familiar faces like Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy there will be two new squad members: Queensland Fire players Beth Mooney and Grace Harris.

CA also named the 14 players on the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars contract list for 2015-16.

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars 2015-16 contracted players: Kristen Beams (Vic), Alex Blackwell (NSW), Nicole Bolton (Vic), Jess Cameron (Vic), Sarah Coyte (NSW), Rene Farrell (ACT), Holly Ferling (QLD), Grace Harris (Qld), Alyssa Healy (NSW), Julie Hunter (Vic), Jess Jonassen (Qld), Delissa Kimmince (Qld), Meg Lanning (Vic), Beth Mooney (Qld), Erin Osborne (NSW), Ellyse Perry (NSW), Megan Schutt (SA), Elyse Villani (Vic)

Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars 2015-16 contracted players: Megan Banting (WA), Jemma Barsby (Qld), Samantha Bates (ACT), Nicola Carey (NSW), Lauren Cheatle (NSW), Piepa Cleary (WA), Ashleigh Gardner (NSW), Heather Graham (WA), Nicola Hancock (Vic), Carly Leeson (NSW), Katie Mack (ACT), Chloe Piparo (WA), Alex Price (SA), Amanda-Jade Wellington (SA).