New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Annabel Sutherland has been given a break from Australia’s forthcoming white-ball tour of the Caribbean. In her place, promising bowler Lucy Hamilton is poised to make her T20I debut as she has been included in the 15-member roster.

This tour will mark the return of new captain Sophie Molineux, who has successfully recovered from a back injury.

The Australian squad is set to engage in six limited-overs matches starting March 19. The series will kick off with three T20 Internationals, which are crucial for preparations ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup taking place later this year in England.

Molineux, who had been sidelined for a significant part of the recent multi-format series against India due to her injury, is now fit and ready to join the 15-member squad heading to the Caribbean.

Uncapped batter Tahlia Wilson has also received her first call-up. Meanwhile, Lucy Hamilton and Nicola Carey have maintained their positions following impressive performances in the recent series against India.

Key players Grace Harris and Annabel Sutherland will not join the tour as the management aims to manage their workloads in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup.

Chief selector Shawn Flegler emphasized the importance of the Caribbean tour in Australia’s preparation for the global tournament and expressed his enthusiasm for Molineux’s return as the all-format captain after the retirement of former captain Alyssa Healy.

“This is our final series before the T20 World Cup, presenting a fantastic chance for the team to refine our strategies against formidable opponents. This tour signifies the start of a new chapter for the squad, with Sophie at the helm across all formats and a revamped batting lineup following Alyssa’s departure,” Flegler remarked to cricket.com.au.

Molineux had to withdraw from the final two ODIs and the Test against India due to back pain. Although she is recovering well, team management may limit her playing time during the tour to ensure her full fitness.

“Sophie excelled during the recent T20 series against India and is already beginning to establish her leadership approach. This tour will be another crucial step in defining how she wants to lead the team. Sophie is making good progress and is anticipated to be ready for play. We’ll focus on the T20 matches while continuing to monitor her throughout the ODI series.

If Molineux is unable to participate in matches, either Ashleigh Gardner or Tahlia McGrath, the joint vice-captains, will take charge of the team.

Sutherland, who delivered an exceptional performance against India and was named player of the series after scoring a century in the Test at the WACA Ground, has been rested as part of a planned workload management strategy. She had previously opted out of the Women's Premier League with Delhi Capitals Women following the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and the Women's Big Bash League.

“Annabel will sit out the series as a part of a proactive management plan after a considerable workload over the past year. We believe that this extended break will ensure she is at her peak performance ahead of the World Cup.

Harris has not been selected for the squad, but selectors affirm that she remains a candidate for the upcoming global event.

“While Grace has been omitted from the squad, we are well aware of her capabilities and she remains firmly on our radar ahead of the World Cup.”

Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia Wilson