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Australia have persevered with Sophie Molineux as captain for the Twenty20 World Cup in England despite an injury-blighted start for her stint as Alyssa Healy’s leadership successor.
But there will be selection conundrums aplenty as Australia try to avoid missing the tournament final for a third consecutive World Cup after slipping up in the semi-finals in the 2024 T20 Cup in the UAE and also last year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
Ash Gardner, widely thought to have missed out narrowly to Molineux for the captaincy, has been named co-deputy alongside fellow all-rounder Tahlia McGrath, who was also considered a leadership contender until a poor run of scores saw her spend time out of the side last summer.
Molineux, 28, suffered back problems on the recent West Indies tour, forcing her to play as a non-bowling captain batting down the order. She has a mottled injury history including serious knee and foot ailments that kept her out of the national team for over two years.
National selector Shawn Flegler has admitted that any further long-term injuries for Molineux would compel a reassessment of the captaincy decision.
The team is heavy on spin, and it remains to be seen whether selectors can fit Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Alana King in the same side.
King has been an outstanding performer for Australia when selected, most recently in the Caribbean. But at the last T20 World Cup in 2024 she spent the tournament on the substitutes bench in conditions that should have favoured her skills.
“These squads are never easy to select but we’re confident with the balance and stability we’ve got across the group,” Flegler said.
“Sophie has already made her mark as captain and built a strong connection with the group over the last couple of tours, so we’re looking forward to seeing what this side can achieve under her leadership.”
Fast bowler Darcie Brown was left out of the squad to make way for left-arm seamer Lucy Hamilton, while Annabel Sutherland has returned after being rested from the West Indies trip. Seasoned swing bowler Megan Schutt also made the cut after being on the fringes of the team in recent months.
“Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side,” Flegler said.
“With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton who offers something different as a left-arm quick.”
T20 World Cup squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham. Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson
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