Australia captain Sophie Molineux has been handed match and named in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
The 28-year-old all-rounder will lead a 15-strong squad for the match in England, with help from vice-captains Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.
Quick bowler Lucy Hamilton has been chosen for her first worldwide match because the six-time champions look to regain the World Cup title after dropping within the semi-finals in 2024.
All-rounders Annabel Sutherland and Grace Harris return to the squad having been rested and dropped respectively for the tour of the West Indies in March.
Molineux was appointed to the Australia captaincy in January, changing the retired Alyssa Healy, and was thought of a shock choose following a profession blighted by damage.
She injured her again previous to the tour of the Caribbean, her first away collection as captain, the place she performed solely as a batter.
Australia nationwide selector Shawn Flegler had previously confirmed, external that Molineux wouldn’t have been thought of for a non-bowling position on the World Cup.
“Sophie has already made her mark as captain and constructed a powerful reference to the group during the last couple of excursions, so we’re trying ahead to seeing what this facet can obtain below her management,” Flegler mentioned upon the squad’s announcement.
“Darcie Brown was unfortunate to overlook out however the determination was based mostly on the situations we’re anticipating and the make-up of the facet.
“With a minimum of six right-arm tempo choices within the combine and uncooked tempo anticipated to be much less efficient, we opted to go along with Lucy Hamilton who presents one thing totally different as a left-arm fast.”
Molineux’s facet will play warm-up fixtures towards South Africa, England and the West Indies earlier than opening their match towards South Africa on 13 June at Previous Trafford.
