Sophie Molineux named Australian captain; squads

Sophie Molineux named Australian captain; squads named to face India

Sophie Molineux named Australian captain; squads named to face India-eLanka

Source: CA – Cricket Australia Multicultural media (eLanka)

Sophie Molineux has been appointed captain of the Australian Women’s Team, taking the reins from Alyssa Healy who will retire from all formats in March.

The 28-year-old Victorian will make her national captaincy debut in three T20Is as part of the upcoming multi-format NRMA Insurance Women’s International Series against India. Healy will captain Australia for the last time during the three ODIs and Test match, with Molineux her deputy.

All-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia McGrath across all formats.

Current Victoria and Melbourne Renegades captain, Molineux brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role, having led her native Victoria for the last four seasons and played a pivotal role in leading the Melbourne Renegades to a maiden Weber WBBL title in 2024.

Mike Baird, Cricket Australia Chair said:

“Sophie is a terrific player and leader who brings a wealth of experience and success to the role and someone we are proud to have lead this great side.

“I’d like to congratulate Sophie on her appointment and wish her all the best for this new chapter of her career.”

Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:

“Sophie is an outstanding leader and we are thrilled for her to take on the role.

“Sophie is highly respected within Australian cricket, and her resilience, composure and proven domestic leadership makes her the right person to lead the team into a new era.

“We will continue to manage Sophie’s workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons.

“Tahlia McGrath remains vice-captain, recognising her significant leadership contribution under Alyssa Healy. Tahlia has acted as stand-in captain on 16 occasions across formats, providing consistency and stability.

“Ash Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia, strengthening the team’s leadership group. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required.”

Sophie Molineux said:

“It’s a real honour to be named Australian captain and something I’m incredibly proud of, especially

following on from Alyssa, who’s had such a huge impact on this team and the game.

“We’ve got a really strong group with plenty of natural leaders, alongside a lot of exciting talent coming through, and I’m really looking forward to working together as we keep evolving and pushing ourselves to the next level, while staying true to the identity that makes this team so special.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the trust that’s been shown in me, and I’m excited to grow alongside this group of players and see what we can achieve together with Tahlia, Ash and the rest of the team.”

The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has also announced the squads to face India next month including a Governor-General’s XI to take on the visitors ahead of the series.

All-rounder Nicola Carey is in line to play her first international match since 2022, while left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton has been named in her first Australian squad.

After declining a national contract in 2023, Carey has been one of the standout performers in domestic cricket both at home and abroad. She helped steer Tasmania to a maiden 50-over title in 2023-24 in a Player of the Year performance and was named Player of the Match in The Hundred Final last year.

Weber WBBL|11 Young Gun Award winner, Lucy Hamilton caps off a breakout season with selection in Australia’s Test squad. At just 19, Hamilton led the Heat’s bowling attack, finishing the season with eight wickets. She has also toured with Australia’s Under-19s, captaining the side at last year’s World Cup.

Leg-spinner Alana King has been omitted from Australia’s T20 squad, with Megan Schutt missing out on selection in the ODI side.

The Governor-General’s XI match will see some of Australia’s most promising domestic stars face the one-day World Champions in a T20 fixture under lights at North Sydney Oval.

The team will be led by Queensland’s Charli Knott, and features Australian Defence Force cricketer, Corporal Frances Whittaker alongside Australian players Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Alana King, and Georgia Voll.

A member of the Royal Australian Air Force, Whittaker is a wicketkeeper and top-order batter, with her selection continuing a long-standing association with the Australian Defence Force that provides the opportunity for eligible serving personnel to participate in the annual fixture.

Australia squad – T20

Darcie Brown (Adelaide Strikers / Northern Districts CC)
Nicola Carey (Hobart Hurricanes / North Hobart CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (Sydney Sixers / Bankstown CC)
Kim Garth (Melbourne Stars / Dandenong CC)
Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat / Western Suburbs Cricket Club)
Phoebe Litchfield (Sydney Thunder / Sydney University CC)
Tahlia McGrath (Adelaide Strikers / Glenelg CC)
Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades / Dandenong Cricket Club) – captain
Beth Mooney (Perth Scorchers / Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers)
Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers / Sturt CC)
Annabel Sutherland (Melbourne Stars / Prahran CC)
Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder / Sandgate-Redcliffe District CC)
Georgia Wareham (Melbourne Renegades / Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)

Australia squad – ODI

Darcie Brown (SA / Northern Districts CC)
Nicola Carey (TAS / North Hobart CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW / Bankstown CC)
Kim Garth (VIC / Dandenong CC)
Alyssa Healy (NSW / Sydney CC) – captain
Alana King (WA / Midland Guildford CC)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW / Sydney University CC)
Tahlia McGrath (SA / Glenelg CC)
Sophie Molineux (VIC / Dandenong Cricket Club)
Beth Mooney (WA / Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (NSW)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC / Prahran CC)
Georgia Voll (QLD / Sandgate-Redcliffe District CC)
Georgia Wareham (VIC / Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)

Australia squad – Test

Darcie Brown (SA / Northern Districts CC)

Ashleigh Gardner (NSW / Bankstown CC)

Kim Garth (VIC / Dandenong CC)

Lucy Hamilton (QLD / Sunshine Coast CC)
Alyssa Healy (NSW / Sydney CC) – captain

Alana King (WA / Midland Guildford CC)

Phoebe Litchfield (NSW / Sydney University CC)

Tahlia McGrath (SA / Glenelg CC)

Sophie Molineux (VIC / Dandenong Cricket Club)

Beth Mooney (WA / Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)

Ellyse Perry (NSW)

Annabel Sutherland (VIC / Prahran CC)

Georgia Voll (QLD / Sandgate-Redcliffe District CC)

Georgia Wareham (VIC / Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)

Governor-General’s XI

Chloe Ainsworth (Perth Scorchers/Melville CC)

Nicole Faltum (Melbourne Renegades/Dandenong CC)

Tess Flintoff (Melbourne Renegades/Ringwood CC)

Kim Garth (Melbourne Stars/Dandenong CC)

Sianna Ginger (Brisbane Heat/Valley District CC)

Lucy Hamilton (Brisbane Heat/Sunshine Coast CC)

Alana King (Perth Scorchers/Midland Guildford CC)

Charli Knott (Brisbane Heat/University of Queensland CC) – captain

Anika Learoyd (Sydney Thunder/Northern Districts CC)

Hayley Silver-Holmes (Hobart Hurricanes/Newtown CC)

Rachel Trenaman (Hobart Hurricanes/Clarence District CC)

Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)

Corporal Frances Whittaker – Australian Defence Force

Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:

“This multi-format series will be an important test across all three formats and a crucial part of our

preparation as we look ahead to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June.

“Nicola has had an impressive past couple of years in domestic cricket and has also performed well overseas in both England and India. She is an experienced player, with a strong skill set, and she will get an opportunity to test those skills as we build towards the T20 World Cup.

“Lucy is an exciting left-arm fast bowler who offers something different with the ball. She has worked hardon her game over the past few years and is someone we believe has a big future, while also benefiting from being around the group at this level.

“We’re fortunate to have great depth in our spin-bowling stocks, with three world-class spinners already in the side, which unfortunately means Alana misses out on the T20 format on this occasion however she will play in the Governor General’s match.

“It was also a tough call with Megan, but at her best she remains an important part of the side, particularly with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.

“The Governor-General’s XI is a special event that the players enjoy being a part of, and we thank the Governor-General for her ongoing support. The match provides a great opportunity for uncapped domestic players to test themselves against world-class opposition, while also playing an important role in the preparation of several Australian players ahead of the India series.”

The Governor-General Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC said:

“I’m excited to again host the Governor-General’s XI fixture and help showcase elite women’s cricket.

“This year, as we celebrate a decade of this game, we’ve named a strong side with a great captain in Charli Knott. The blend of youth and experience can push India all the way in what’s going to be an exciting night of cricket at an iconic venue.”

“I encourage anyone in Sydney to come along – it is going to be a great night of world-class cricket and I look forward to meeting cricket fans and cheering our side on.”

Fans can watch all the action when Australia takes on India live on the Seven Network, 7Plus, Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports, ABC Radio and Triple M (T20Is and Test).

The Governor-General’s XI fixture will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket and ABC Radio.

Tickets for the summer are available at cricket.com.au.

Fixtures

Governor-General’s XI v India

13 February: North Sydney Oval, Sydney (7:05pm)

NRMA Insurance Women’s T20I Series

15 February: SCG, Sydney (7:15pm)

19 February: Manuka Oval, Canberra (7:15pm)

21 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (6:45pm)

NRMA Insurance Women’s ODI Series

24 February: Allan Border Field, Brisbane (1:50pm)

27 February: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (2:50pm)