Molineux named Healy's successor as Australian captain

[ad_1] Sophie Molineux has been named Australia's new all-format captain, changing the retiring Alyssa Healy.

Molineux, 28, debuted for Australia in 2018 in T20 cricket, enjoying her first ODI later that yr and her first Take a look at within the 2019 Ashes.

She is going to make her official captaincy debut on the SCG towards India on February 15 within the first T20 of a multi-format collection.

Molineux is the captain of Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades, and led her WBBL aspect to the title in 2024.

Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner might be Molineux's vice captains.

Sophie Molineux replaces Alyssa Healy within the prime job. ( Equipped: Cricket Australia )

"It is an actual honour to be named Australian captain and one thing I am extremely pleased with, particularly following on from Alyssa, who's had such a huge effect on this workforce and the sport," Molineux stated.

"We have a extremely sturdy group with loads of pure leaders, alongside loads of thrilling expertise coming by, and I am actually wanting ahead to working collectively as we maintain evolving and pushing ourselves to the subsequent stage, whereas staying true to the identification that makes this workforce so particular.

"I am extremely grateful for the belief that is been proven in me, and I am excited to develop alongside this group of gamers and see what we are able to obtain along with Tahlia, Ash and the remainder of the workforce."

Finger-spinning all-rounder Molineux has struggled with harm over latest years, lacking important stretches of cricket with knee and foot points.

Head of efficiency and girls's selector, Shawn Flegler, stated Cricket Australia would proceed to "handle Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and main worldwide collection following harm challenges in latest seasons".

Australia will face India in three T20s, three ODIs and a Take a look at match by February and March.

Star leg-spinner Alana King is a stunning omission from the T20 squad, whereas fast Megan Schutt has been ignored of the ODI squad.

All-rounder Nicola Carey has been recalled to the ODI and T20 squads and is an opportunity to play her first worldwide match since 2022.

WBBL breakout star Lucy Hamilton might make her Take a look at debut, together with her left-arm tempo thought-about a degree of distinction by selectors.

Lucy Hamilton might make her Take a look at debut towards India. ( AAP: Darren England )

"Nicola has had a powerful previous couple of years in home cricket and has additionally carried out nicely abroad in each England and India. She is an skilled participant, with a powerful talent set, and she is going to get a chance to check these expertise as we construct in direction of the T20 World Cup," Flegler stated.

"Lucy is an thrilling left-arm quick bowler who gives one thing completely different with the ball. She has labored laborious on her sport over the previous few years and is somebody we consider has a giant future, whereas additionally benefiting from being across the group at this stage.

"We're lucky to have nice depth in our spin-bowling shares, with three world-class spinners already within the aspect, which sadly means Alana misses out on the T20 format on this event; nonetheless, she is going to play within the Governor Common's match.

"It was additionally a tricky name with Megan, however at her finest she stays an essential a part of the aspect, notably with the T20 World Cup on the horizon."