Aussie women’s cricket stars sledge the Poms with awards ceremony drinking game that kicked off every time they heard one word

The Australian women’s cricket team dished out multiple hilarious sledges to England at the Australian Cricket Awards on Monday night while playing an awards cermony drinking game.

It came in the wake of their triumphant Ashes Series against England, where they embarrassed the tourists with a 16-0 whitewash to retain the Series.

In high spirits after their brilliant victory, the players arrived at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium and proceeded to revel in the landslide victory.

They also appeared to have taken a pact to drink whenever the word ‘whitewash’ was used.

And given the nature of their victory, the w-word was mentioned quite a lot that evening.

Hilariously some players, including Ash Gardner and Beth Mooney, dropped the word during interviews with Fox Cricket broadcasters.

Reflecting on the year Gardner said to Sam Perry: ‘I think just the team’s success has been the pinnacle, a really good whitewash for the Ashes… just one for the girls.’

Gardner then dropped a cheeky sledge for England’s coach Jon Lewis.

During the series, Lewis had bizarrely appeared to claim that growing up in Australia had given the home side an advantage in terms of athleticism.

He suggested that the nation’s outdoor lifestyle, helped to produce that while adding that he took a stroll from Bondi to Coogee while in Australia and said ‘pretty much every Australian in the Eastern Suburbs was in the water.’

He called it a ‘cultural difference’ and claimed: ‘I definitely think Australia have an advantage in terms of athleticism.’

Gardener subsequently quipped: ‘I think some walks along Bondi have been really enjoyable as well.

‘No it’s just been really enjoyable playing some really hard-fought cricket, but to come away with an Ashes that’s sitting up there proudly – it’s pretty special.’

Mooney later added a sledge of her own, stating: ‘Obviously growing up in Hervey Bay with all the big waves, that’s held me in good stead to be able to score big runs for Australia.’

Annabel Sutherland was, meanwhile, rewarded for her stellar form when she collected the Belinda Clark Award as Australian women’s cricketer of the year.

It is the first time Sutherland has won any of the three top Australian women’s categories – the one-day and T20 international honours, as well as the top prize.

She was crowned as the top woman in Australian cricket on Monday night as Travis Head, with the Test team in Sri Lanka, won the men’s Allan Border Medal.

It came only a couple of days after the Australian women won their Ashes series in a whitewash, further underscoring the team’s dominance.

Last week Sutherland became the first woman to score a Test century on the MCG with her 163. She had started the voting period a year ago with an imperious 210 in the Perth Test against South Africa.

But midway through her acceptance speech at the Australian Cricket Awards night, Sutherland reflected on the one that got away last October – losing the T20 World Cup semi-final to South Africa.

It ended their run of three-straight world titles and gave Sutherland pause for thought.

‘It didn’t sit overly well. It made me think they’re actually not that easy to win, surprisingly, given our record over the last few years,’ Sutherland said.

‘It’s tough when teams are coming at you. You’re at the top of the list for other countries and everyone wants to knock you off.

‘But the way we responded after that World Cup probably just shows the character of that group. Everyone went to work.’

That work has culminated in England being sent home in tatters.

Apart from her obvious physical talents, Sutherland had an unfair advantage as a youngster in that her dad, James, was Cricket Australia’s chief executive.

So Sutherland regularly visited the Australian women’s dressing rooms and grew up around the national team.

But she also was reared in the family school of hard knocks, courtesy of brothers Will and Tom. Will, too, is now a star Victorian player.

‘I wouldn’t be here without you guys. You haven’t made it easy growing up in the backyard and you never backed off, which I’m certainly grateful for now,’ Sutherland said in her acceptance speech.

‘I wasn’t at the time.’

The prestigious award gives Sutherland bragging rights at coming family functions, although she notes any attitude will be thrown straight back at her.

Sutherland also suspects that still living at home might be wearing thin on her parents.

‘They’re probably close to trying to kick me out. But no, I’m sure they’re very proud,’ she said.