Sophie Molineux has been appointed as Australia Women’s new all-format captain, succeeding the retiring Alyssa Healy.
The 28-year-old Victorian left-arm spinner has been elevated ahead of vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, capping a remarkable comeback from career-threatening injuries.
Molineux will lead Australia for the first time during the T20I leg of the upcoming home series against India in February, with the official squad announcement expected imminently.
Her recent WBBL title triumph with Melbourne Renegades proved pivotal in securing the national captaincy role.
Remarkable Recovery Defines Leadership Bid
Molineux’s appointment represents an inspiring comeback story. A stress fracture in her foot sidelined her from Australia’s 2022 Ashes triumph, ODI World Cup victory, and historic Commonwealth Games gold medal.
However, her return to domestic cricket proved emphatic, leading Melbourne Renegades to their maiden WBBL title while claiming 16 wickets throughout the campaign.
Her captaincy credentials were further strengthened by success in the WPL 2024 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where she finished as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps.
Despite recurring knee issues forcing her out of the 2025 Ashes and WPL, Molineux returned ahead of the ODI World Cup, though she played selectively due to workload management.
McGrath Overlooked Despite Strong Record
Tahlia McGrath, Healy’s vice-captain, has been passed over for the top role despite an impressive leadership record of six wins from six ODIs and eight victories in nine T20Is.
However, recent form struggles may have influenced the selectors’ decision. McGrath managed just 55 runs across four innings at the ODI World Cup and 98 runs across nine WBBL innings.
Molineux’s WBBL captaincy record stands at 17 wins from 37 matches. With the T20 World Cup in England just four months away, Australia has prioritized leadership continuity during this transitional period.
