Aussie skipper Molineaux might bat, not bowl, in Windies series

2026-03-18 - 18:24

ARNOS VALE, St Vincent – Sophie Molineux’s official coronation as Australia’s full-time captain may see her deployed as a specialist batter on the tour of the West Indies, with the tourists opting for a cautious approach with the star allrounder. After leading the side in the three T20Is against India last month, the 28-year-old has now formally inherited the leadership crown from the now-retired Allyssa Healy. Molineux is slated to feature in all three T20Is against the West Indies in St Vincent, marking her return from a lower-back complaint. However, her participation in the subsequent three ODIs in St Kitts will be subject to a reassessment. Crucially, Cricket Australia has left the door ajar for Molineux to contribute solely with the bat during the limited-overs fixtures. With the T20 World Cup looming just three months away and the Victorians’ history of injury setbacks, management is treading carefully. “It’s probably a ‘see how we go’,” Molineux said of her bowling prospects. “Especially towards the back end with the one-dayers. We’ll just keep assessing. I am looking forward to being back out there with the girls.” If Molineux were to feature as a batter only, it would represent a seismic shift in her role. Since bursting onto the international scene in 2018, her left-arm spin has been a staple of her game, having bowled in every single one of her appearances for Australia. Yet, the team’s desire to embed her as the leader is paramount. This tour marks the first time the squad is truly hers, following Healy’s retirement at the conclusion of the home multi-format series against India. “It’s an important series for all of us,” Molineux added. “We haven’t got a whole lot of games before that T20 World Cup. Each game we have together is really important, and we make sure we are building towards that. “To be able to get my feet under the desk and lead the group, I am really looking forward to the opportunity.” Should Molineux be rested or limited to batting in the 50-over matches, fellow vice-captain Tahlia McGrath remains in the squad alongside Ashleigh Gardner to bolster the leadership ranks. CMC