Australia Faces Setback as Molineux Misses ODIs Against New Zealand
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Perth, Dec 14 (NationPress) A recurring knee injury has sidelined Sophie Molineux, a left-arm spinner, from Australia’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand starting on Thursday, announced Cricket Australia (CA) on Saturday.
This latest setback for Sophie compounds the worries regarding captain Alyssa Healy’s fitness as Australia aims to fine-tune their preparations for the forthcoming multi-format Ashes series.
Sophie, who has been grappling with knee troubles throughout the summer, exacerbated her condition during the final ODI against India in Perth on Wednesday. Following Australia’s successful 3-0 series sweep over India, Sophie reported discomfort.
This new flare-up means she will be absent for all three ODIs against New Zealand, with all-rounder Heather Graham being called up to the Australian squad.
“Sophie Molineux has been withdrawn from the NZ Series due to knee soreness. Heather Graham will join the squad in New Zealand on Tuesday, after Tasmania’s Women’s National Cricket League matches against New South Wales in Hobart,” CA stated.
With Molineux out, leg-spinner Georgia Wareham is likely to step into her spot in the playing eleven after being rested for the last two ODIs against India.
In more positive news for Australia, skipper Alyssa is expected to return after recuperating from her own knee injury. Healy, who missed the ODI series against India and the latter stages of the T20 World Cup due to a foot issue, will probably take her position at the top of the order alongside Phoebe Litchfield.
However, her return presents a potential selection conundrum for the team as Georgia Voll excelled in Alyssa’s absence, making a remarkable start to her international career with scores of 46 not out and 26 against India, including her maiden ODI century of 101.
This situation means the Australian selectors now face a challenging decision: to integrate Georgia into the middle order at Alyssa’s expense or to exclude the young talent from the starting eleven altogether.
Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Heather Graham, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
