Sydney, Australia – Sophie Molineux has officially begun her tenure as the Australian women’s cricket captain, stepping into the role previously held by Alyssa Healy. The appointment, confirmed last month, will see Molineux lead the team for the first time on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground against India, marking the start of a multi-format series that includes both T20 and ODI matches, culminating in a Test match.
Molineux addressed the media on Saturday, outlining a strategy of incremental improvement rather than radical change. “There is so much experience and skill in this team, and the girls are really driven to succeed for Australia, so it’s just bringing it all together (as captain),” she stated. She emphasized the importance of her vice-captains, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath, in maintaining team alignment, and direction.
The series against India serves as a crucial preparation phase for the Australian team ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, to be held in the United Kingdom. Molineux will have limited opportunities – six matches in total, three against India and three against the West Indies next month – to solidify her leadership and refine the team’s strategy before the global tournament.
The transition in leadership comes after a period of reflection for the Australian squad, following their semi-final defeat to India at the World Cup last October in Mumbai. Molineux indicated that the team has processed the result and is now focused on moving forward. “We’ve sat on it for three or four months and reflected individually and had those conversations prior to this, but now it’s full steam ahead for the India series,” she said.
Several personnel changes are expected in the Australian lineup. Beth Mooney will assume wicketkeeping duties, a role she has filled on an interim basis during Alyssa Healy’s injury absence, and Georgia Voll will continue as an opening batter. Molineux will replace leg-spinner Alana King from the last T20I series played in March 2025.
The selection of the pace attack remains a point of consideration, with Nicola Carey emerging as a strong contender. Carey’s versatility, having developed the ability to bowl at the start of an innings, positions her as a potentially valuable asset in multiple roles within the XI. The weather forecast, predicting up to 8mm of rain in Sydney on Sunday, may also influence the final team composition.
Molineux remained characteristically reserved when questioned about the specific team selection, mirroring the approach of her predecessors, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning, who traditionally withheld the final XI until the coin toss. “It’s probably just a little bit around team balance,” she explained, adding that the team is assessing the recent performances of players returning from the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and analyzing the strengths of the Indian side.
The multi-format series will feature three T20 International matches, followed by three One Day International matches, and concluding with a Test match. The first T20I is scheduled for at the SCG, commencing at 7:15 PM AEDT. The second T20I will be played in Canberra on , and the third in Adelaide on .
The ODI leg of the tour begins on in Brisbane, followed by matches in Hobart on and . The series will conclude with a Test match at the WACA Ground in Perth from to .
Australia T20I squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
India T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil.
Australia ODI squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
India ODI squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry, Harleen Deol.
Australia Test squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
India Test squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare.
