Former RCB all-rounder named as Australia's all format captain
Molineux will lead Australia for the first time in three WT20Is against India in mid-February. Notably, Healy will return to lead in her farewell WODI series and final WTest match at the WACA in early March.
The series will begin on February 15. Molineux was chosen ahead of current vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who will continue in her role. Ashleigh Gardner has also been named as a second vice-captain alongside Molineux and McGrath.
Selectors Make Tough Choices and Name New Captain
Selectors made some tough choices for the squads. Alana King was left out of the T20I team. Megan Schutt, Grace Harris, and Heather Graham were not picked for the ODI squad.
Many people expected Tahlia McGrath or Ashleigh Gardner to replace Alyssa Healy as captain. Both players had led the team before. However, Sophie Molineux was chosen instead.
Molineux will become Australia’s ninth T20I captain when the first match is played at the SCG on February 15.
“It is a great honour to be named captain of Australia,” Molineux said. “I am very proud to follow Alyssa, who has had a big impact on this team and the game.”
She added that the team has strong leaders and young talent, and she is excited to keep pushing the team forward.
Sophie Molineux is beginning her exciting next chapter as captain of the Australian Women's cricket team 🙌
— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2026
More 👉 https://t.co/1vT9GUJOqv pic.twitter.com/WRzfXDUjq3
Australia to Face India in All-Format Series
From February 15 to March 9, Australia will play India in an all-format series. The series will include three T20I matches, three ODI matches, and one Test match. The Test will be played after the T20I and ODI series.
For this home series, Cricket Australia announced squads for all formats. Alyssa Healy will captain the ODI and Test teams. Sophie Molineux will act as her deputy in both formats.
Nicola Carey returns to the white-ball squads after time away. Young fast bowler Lucy Hamilton, aged 19, could make her Test debut against India. Phoebe Litchfield has been named in all three squads, even though she was ruled out of the rest of the Women’s Premier League due to a quad injury.
Australia Squads for India Series
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.
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.
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.
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