Alyssa Healy not to lead Australia in all formats; Sophie Molineux takes charge in India series

Alyssa Healy and Sophie Molineux [Source: X]

In a recent development, Cricket Australia have announced the Australia women’s squad for the upcoming multi-format series against India. As Alyssa Healy’s successor, Sophie Molineux has been named to lead Australia’s T20I side against India, while Healy will continue to captain the Test and ODI teams.

For the unaware, Sophie Molineux will succeed Healy in all three formats following her retirement. The 28-year-old will take charge of the T20I side from the first T20I game starting from February 15, the three-match T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series, before concluding with a one-off Test on March 6.

Notably, Alyssa Healy is set to receive her farewell on Australian soil as she leads the ODI and Test sides. Following her retirement from T20Is, she is no longer part of the T20I squad, with Sophie Molineux stepping in as captain.

Sophie Molineux replaces Healy in Australia Women’s T20I squad

The squads named by Australia for the Test, T20I, and ODI formats feature a highly experienced group across all formats, along with a few new faces.

Australia Women’s T20I squad:

Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Australia’s T20I squad will see Sophie Molineux lead the side, with Ashleigh Gardner named vice-captain alongside Tahlia McGrath. Darcy Brown will be the rising young pace sensation, who is rated highly for her speed and wicket-taking ability.

In the bowling unit, Megan Schutt will lead with her experience and reliable swing bowling, while Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland contributes with their all-round abilities.

Interestingly, Phoebe Litchfield, who was ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Premier League due to a quad injury, has been named in all three squads, having been given nearly a month to recover.

The batting lineup features key firepower in players such as Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris, Ashleigh Gardner, and Sophie Molineux herself.

Alyssa Healy leads farewell series as captain in ODI and Tests

The Australia women’s ODI squad will be led by Alyssa Healy, with Sophie Molineux named vice-captain. The core of the squad remains similar to the T20I setup, with a few changes, including the addition of Alana King, who was ignored for the T20I setup.

Australia Women’s ODI squad:

Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

King brings strong match-winning potential and the ability to perform under pressure. The right-arm leg-spinner will be the first-choice spinner in the ODI series, having taken 72 wickets from 47 ODI appearances.

Lucy Hamilton gets maiden call-up in Test squad

Australia’s Test squad includes another addition in Lucy Hamilton, a rising star in Australian cricket.

Australia Women’s Test squad:

Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Alongside the experienced core, Lucy Hamilton is a left-arm fast bowler and left-handed batting all-rounder, Hamilton impressed in domestic and franchise cricket.

She made her professional debut for Queensland at just 15 years of age and gained wider attention in the Women’s Big Bash League after claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul for just eight runs for Brisbane Heat. She will be a player to watch if she makes her Test debut against India.