CANBERRA: All-rounder Sophie Molineux has been declared fit to lead Australia in the women’s Twenty20 World Cup in England after struggling with a back injury, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.

Molineux was forced to play as a specialist batter in the recent T20 series against West Indies, her first full tour as captain after being named the team’s all-format skipper in January.

The 28-year-old replaced now retired Australia great Alyssa Healy, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as deputies.

“I’ve had a good little block of training and everything, and now back bowling and feeling really good, so, (I’m) ready to go,” Molineux told reporters.

After defeat in the semi-finals by South Africa in 2024, Australia will eye a record-extending seventh World Cup title at the tournament beginning on June 12 in England and Wales.

“I’m really excited. I think this World Cup has been on our minds for a long time now, and it feels like it’s just around the corner, and we’ve all got together this week and starting to build some really good momentum,” Molineux added.

“Leading a World Cup for the first time, there’s going to be some nerves to it, but I think the overall emotion is just pure excitement.”

Fast bowler Darcie Brown has been left out of the squad but 19-year-old all-rounder Lucy Hamilton was included.

“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,” said Flegler.

“Grace Harris comes into the side having missed the recent series against the West Indies. She’s a handy all-round option and someone who can take the game away from an opposition.”

Australia begin their Group ‘A’ campaign against South Africa on June 13 in Manchester.

Squad:

Sophie Molineux (captain), Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham; Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2026