Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney

Sydney, Jan 29: Sophie Molineux has been appointed as Alyssa Healy’s full-time successor as Australia’s all-format captain and will take charge for the first time during the T20I leg of the upcoming multi-format home series against India.

Molineux has been preferred ahead of current vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who will continue in her role, while Ashleigh Gardner has been elevated as a second vice-captain, strengthening Australia’s leadership group.

Calling it a proud moment, Molineux said it was a huge honour to lead the national side.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The 28-year-old Victorian left-arm spinner’s appointment comes as a surprise given she has not played T20I or Test cricket since 2024 due to a knee injury and was carefully managed during last year’s ODI World Cup. She also did not feature in a full WBBL season for Melbourne Renegades.

However, her successful stint as Renegades captain — guiding the club to a drought-breaking WBBL title in 2024-25 — is understood to be a major factor behind her elevation to the national job.

Molineux will lead Australia in the three-match T20I series against India in mid-February, before the retiring Healy returns to captain the side for her farewell ODI series and final Test at the WACA in early March.

Molineux will then assume leadership across all three formats for Australia’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean, including a Test match, and will also be preparing to lead the side into the T20 World Cup in England in June.

National selector Shawn Flegler said Molineux was the right choice despite the need to manage her workload due to injury concerns.

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

Flegler added that McGrath’s role as vice-captain remains vital given her experience, having led Australia on 16 occasions as stand-in captain.

Meanwhile, legspinner Alana King has been left out of the T20I squad for the India series after a tough WBBL season. Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes allrounder Nicola Carey has returned to both white-ball squads and is in line for her first international appearance since 2022 following strong domestic and franchise performances.

Veteran pacer Megan Schutt has been omitted from the ODI squad, indicating she may have played her final 50-over match for Australia. Schutt has also been excluded from the Test squad, with 19-year-old left-arm fast bowler Lucy Hamilton receiving her maiden call-up for the longer format.

“Nicola has had an impressive past couple of years in domestic cricket and has also performed well overseas in both England and India,” Flegler said, adding that Hamilton brings a different dimension with her left-arm pace and is viewed as a player with a bright future.

Hamilton and King have also been named in the Governor-General’s XI to face India in a warm-up T20 match in Sydney on February 13, ahead of the series beginning on February 15.
Australia T20 squad:

Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (capt), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Australia ODI squad:

Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alyssa Healy (capt), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Australia Test squad:

Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alyssa Healy (capt), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Governor-General’s XI:

Chloe Ainsworth, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Charli Knott (capt), Anika Learoyd, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman, Georgia Voll, Corporal Frances Whittaker