Sophie Molineux named as all-format captain ahead of India series

Cricket Australia, on Thursday, January 29, named that all-rounder Sophie Molineux will lead Australia in the upcoming India series across three formats, as Alyssa Healy's successor. Moreover, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath emerged as joint vice-captains across formats.

Also, Cricket Australia announced their T20I, ODI and Test squads to play India, starting on Sunday, February 15 in Sydney. While Nicola Carey made her return to the international arena in the white-ball formats, the 19-year-old pacer Lucy Hamilton could make her Test debut after receiving her call-up for the first time.

On the other hand, Phoebe Litchfield has been named in all three squads despite being ruled out of the remainder of the WPL 2026 season with a quad injury. Meanwhile, spinner Alana King has been ruled out of the T20I side, with Megan Schutt, Grace Harris and Heather Graham out of the ODI team.

"It's a real honour to be named Australian captain and something I'm incredibly proud of, especially following on from Alyssa, who’s had such a huge impact on this team and the game," Molineux said in a statement.

"We've got a really strong group with plenty of natural leaders, alongside a lot of exciting talent coming through, and I'm really looking forward to working together as we keep evolving and pushing ourselves to the next level, while staying true to the identity that makes this team so special,” she added.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia National Selector Shawn Flegler has heaped praise on Molineux's leadership qualities, while also acknowledging her history of injury setbacks, giving importance to her workload.

"Sophie is highly respected within Australian cricket, and her resilience, composure and proven domestic leadership makes her the right person to lead the team into a new era," Flegler said in a statement.

"We will continue to manage Sophie’s workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons.

"Tahlia McGrath remains vice-captain, recognising her significant leadership contribution under Alyssa Healy … Ash Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia, strengthening the team’s leadership group.

"Ash and Tahlia provide complementary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required." 

Australia 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 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.

Australia 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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