Sophie Molineux Named Australia’s New All-Format Captain
Sophie Molineux has been appointed Australia’s new all-format captain, succeeding Alyssa Healy on a full-time basis. The 28-year-old Victorian spinner will lead the national side for the first time during the T20I leg of the upcoming multi-format home series against India, beginning in mid-February.
Molineux’s elevation comes ahead of current all-format vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who will retain her role. Ashleigh Gardner has also been promoted to vice-captain, forming a strengthened leadership group to support Molineux across formats.
“It’s a real honour to be named Australian captain and something I’m incredibly proud of, especially following on from Alyssa, who’s had such a huge impact on this team and the game,” Molineux said. “We’ve got a really strong group with plenty of natural leaders and a lot of exciting talent coming through. I’m grateful for the trust shown in me and excited to see what we can achieve together.”
Molineux’s appointment is considered a left-field choice, given her recent injury history. She has not played T20I or Test cricket since 2024 due to a knee injury and was carefully managed during last year’s ODI World Cup. She also did not complete a full Women’s Big Bash League season with the Melbourne Renegades.
However, her successful leadership at domestic level was a key factor in her selection. Molineux captained the Renegades to a drought-breaking WBBL title in the 2024–25 season, a campaign that strongly impressed national selectors.
She will captain Australia in the three T20Is against India before Healy returns to lead the side in her farewell ODI series and final Test match at the WACA in early March. Following Healy’s retirement, Molineux will take full control across all formats on Australia’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean, which includes a Test match, and will then prepare to lead the team at the T20 World Cup in England in June.
National selector Shawn Flegler said Molineux was the right choice despite the need to manage her workload.
“We will continue to manage Sophie’s workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons,” Flegler said. “Tahlia McGrath remains vice-captain, recognising her significant leadership contribution, while Ash Gardner’s elevation further strengthens the leadership group.”
McGrath has previously captained Australia on 16 occasions across formats, while Gardner is also viewed as a capable stand-in leader when required.
Meanwhile, legspinner Alana King has been omitted from the T20I squad for the India series following a difficult WBBL campaign. Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes allrounder Nicola Carey returns to the white-ball squads and is set to play her first international since 2022 after strong domestic and franchise performances.
Veteran seamer Megan Schutt appears to have played her final ODI after being left out of the 50-over squad and has also been omitted from the Test squad. Nineteen-year-old left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton has earned her maiden Test call-up.
“Nicola has had an impressive past couple of years in domestic cricket and overseas,” Flegler said. “Lucy is an exciting left-arm fast bowler who offers something different and has a big future.”
Hamilton and King have both been named in the Governor-General’s XI to face India in a warm-up T20 match in Sydney on February 13, ahead of the series opener on February 15.
Australia’s squads for the T20I, ODI and Test series, along with the Governor-General’s XI, have been announced as the team begins a new leadership era under Sophie Molineux.