Australia have named a squad featuring four spinners for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, with captain Sophie Molineux fully recovered from a back injury. The left-arm orthodox bowler is set to lead the side in her first World Cup as captain, following the retirement of Alyssa Healy.
Spin Selection Squeeze
Molineux joins Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham in a formidable spin attack. Chief selector Shawn Flegler indicated all four could play together depending on conditions. 'She's our skipper and she's going to play... left-arm orthodox is highly valued in the women's game,' he said of Molineux. 'Georgia's been a number one legspinner. Alana's come in and done really well. But the pecking order is pretty clear.'
King, who took a record 7-18 against South Africa in the 2023 50-over World Cup, was player of the series in last year's Ashes with 23 wickets. After being left out of the T20 squad for India, she impressed in the West Indies, taking five wickets at an average of 11.
Lucy Hamilton Called Up
Left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton, 20, earned her spot in the 15-player squad, with Darcie Brown omitted. Hamilton made her Australia debut across all three formats in March. Coach Shelley Nitschke praised her unique skill: 'She gets some good bounce, bowls a really heavy ball; it's a real point of difference, especially for our attack. There's not a lot of them around.'
Flegler said Brown was disappointed but remains in the picture: 'We've been trying to get Darc up over the last couple of years to be a front-line bowler... she just hasn't quite nailed that opportunity, but we still think she's going to have a great career.'
Experience and New Energy
Molineux, who led a team-building session on a property outside Brisbane, said the group is driven by recent semi-final exits in the 50-over and T20 World Cups. 'We've got so much skill and experience, we've got some new energy,' she said. 'Being able to bring it all together and perform in those big moments where we've been on the other side... that's what's really driving this group.'
Allrounder Nicola Carey returns for her first T20 World Cup since 2020 after a golden summer. Grace Harris is back after missing the West Indies tour, with Nitschke citing her big-hitting versatility. Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry also return, with Perry set for her 10th T20 World Cup.
Warm-Up Schedule
Australia will play three warm-up matches at Arundel Castle against South Africa from May 31, followed by two practice games against England in Cardiff. Their T20 World Cup campaign begins against South Africa on June 13.
Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham. Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson.
