As the countdown to the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted in England, accelerates, six-time tournament champions Australia have locked in their 15-player squad, headlined by the fitness clearance of newly appointed captain Sophie Molineux. The 28-year-old all-rounder, who took over the national captaincy in January following Alyssa Healy’s retirement, has been given the green light to compete despite a persistent back injury that disrupted her early leadership tenure, and will lead the side with support from vice-captains Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.
The squad announcement brings with it a pair of returns and a breakthrough first selection for fast bowler Lucy Hamilton, who will compete at her maiden senior international tournament. Molineux’s path to the World Cup was far from certain: she suffered a back injury in the lead-up to Australia’s March tour of the West Indies, her first away series as skipper, where she was restricted to batting duties only. Prior to her fitness clearance, national selector Shawn Flegler had publicly stated that Molineux would not be considered for a non-bowling role at the global tournament, making her full inclusion a significant milestone for both the player and the team.
Two familiar all-rounding talents also earn their places back in the setup: Annabel Sutherland, who was rested for the Caribbean tour, and Grace Harris, who was dropped for that series, are both back in the squad for the World Cup. The selection leaves fast bowler Darcie Brown out of the final 15, a decision Flegler framed as a strategic choice tailored to the expected conditions in England. “Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side,” Flegler explained in comments following the squad announcement. “With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton who offers something different as a left-arm quick.”
Flegler also voiced confidence in Molineux’s leadership, which has already begun to shape the team across her first two series in charge: “Sophie has already made her mark as captain and built a strong connection with the group over the last couple of tours, so we’re looking forward to seeing what this side can achieve under her leadership.” Since making her international debut in 2018, Molineux has built a career marked by consistent performance despite repeated injury setbacks, with 3 Test matches, 19 One Day Internationals and 44 T20Is caps to her name ahead of the World Cup.
Australia, who are aiming to reclaim the T20 World Cup title after a semi-final exit at the 2024 tournament, will ramp up their preparations with three warm-up matches against South Africa, hosts England and the West Indies before their official tournament opener. They will kick off their 2025 campaign against South Africa on 13 June at Manchester’s iconic Old Trafford ground. Alongside Molineux, Gardner and McGrath, the full squad includes Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, and Georgia Wareham. Batter Tahlia Wilson has been named as the squad’s travelling reserve.