The left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has been ruled out for the upcoming Australia Women’s tour of New Zealand 2024-25. It is stated that Molineux has developed knee soreness and has been withdrawn from the New Zealand series.
With Australia missing the services of Alyssa Healy due to her sore injury, Australia suffered a major blowback in the form of Molineux’s injury.
The spinner has battled knee issues this summer and is missing some WBBL games with the Melbourne Renegades to manage pain in the joint.
She was part of Australia squad of 3-0 clean sweep over India, but pulled up sore following the last victory in Perth on Wednesday.
It means she will now skip all three ODIs against New Zealand this month, with bowling all-rounder Heather Graham to take her spot four weeks out from the Ashes.
Heather Graham will join the Aussie squad for the New Zealand ODIs after Sophie Molineux was ruled out with a recurring knee issue #NZvAUS
More: https://t.co/EwT0fOxOU6 pic.twitter.com/b7Lwp05kV0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2024
“Sophie Molineux has been withdrawn from the NZ Series due to knee soreness,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Heather Graham will join the squad in New Zealand on Tuesday, following Tasmania’s Women’s National Cricket League matches against New South Wales in Hobart.”
Georgia Wareham will be likely come into Australia’s Xl for the first ODI against New Zealand on Thursday, after she was left out of the final two games against India.
Australia’s captain missed the three ODIs against India through her own knee injury, after also missing the end of the T20 World Cup with a foot issue.
Healy’s return will create a potential headache for selectors given Georgia Voll’s impressive start to her international career against India.
Voll made scores of 46 not out, 101 and 26 helping at the top of the order, after a breakthrough WBBL with the Sydney Thunder. However, Healy expected to slot back into opening alongside Phoebe Litchfield.
It means the only way Voll would remain the first choice Xl is if selectors opt to bat her down the order and make the bold call of leaving out a more established player.
The first match of the ODI series will begin on December 19 at Basin Reserve.
Australia Squad for New Zealand: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
