In a bold move, Cricket Australia has appointed Sophie Molineux as the captain of all formats ahead of the series against India. Recently, Australian cricket legend Alyssa Healy announced her retirement, the series with India was her last series, so the cricket board had to find a new captain who can lead the team from the front..
Spin-bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux will start a new chapter in the Australia women’s cricket team. He will be jointly assisted by the two vice-captains of the T20I team, Ashley Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.
Australia vs India all formats series from February 2026
From February 15 to March 9, Australia will face India in a series across all formats, including a Test match. The test match will be held after the 3-match T20 series and 3-match ODI series.
For their home series, the Australian Cricket Board announced its teams for all formats, with Alyssa Healy named as captain in the ODIs and Tests. In these two formats Healy will be assisted by his deputy Molyneux.
Midway through the competition, Nicola Carey will make her comeback in the white-ball format, while 19-year-old seamer Lucy Hamilton could make her Test debut against India. Phoebe Litchfield, who missed the remainder of the Women’s Premier League season due to a quad injury, has also been named in all three squads.
The selectors had to take some tough decisions
The selectors took a tough decision by not including leg spinner Alanna King in the T20 squad. World Cup squad members Megan Schutt, Grace Harris and Heather Graham are also not named for the ODI series.
“To be named Australian captain is a real honor and I’m incredibly proud of it, especially after Alyssa, who has made such a huge impact on this team and the game,” Molineux said in a statement. Because she is considered the successor of Alyssa Healy.
National selector Shawn Flagler on Thursday praised Molineux’s leadership qualities. Flagler also did not forget to mention that the captain has a history of battling injuries and many setbacks.
Flagler said in an official statement, “Sophie is highly respected within Australian cricket, and her resilience, composure and proven domestic leadership make her the right person to lead the team into a new era. We will continue to manage Sophie’s workload while prioritizing major tournaments and major international series following the injury challenges of recent seasons.”
Australia team for India series
T20 squad: Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashley Gardner (vice-captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcey Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Woll, Georgia Wareham.
ODI squad: Alyssa Healy (captain), Sophie Molineux (vice-captain), Darcey Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashley Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Lichfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Woll, Georgia Wareham..
Test squad: Alyssa Healy (captain), Sophie Molineux (vice-captain), Darcey Brown, Ashley Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Lichfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Woll, Georgia Wareham..
read moreSophie Molineux will become the captain of all formats of Australia women’s team in place of Alyssa Healy.
