Australia’s long-time spin-bowling allrounder Sophie Molineux is set to make her long-awaited return at this year’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
Back in the national squad after nine months on the sidelines following knee surgery, the 27-year-old left-arm orthodox is embracing the challenge of stepping straight into World Cup action despite limited preparation.
For Molineux, who has never before featured in an ODI World Cup, the tournament represents both redemption and opportunity, a chance to remind the world of her match-winning ability, even as her comeback story continues to unfold.
Molineux’s inclusion in Australia’s 15-player squad did not come without its exceptions. She won’t take part in the three-match ODI series against India from September 14 to 20, 2025. She will instead have just one warm-up fixture, against England on September 28, to find her footing before Australia’s tournament opener against New Zealand on October 1.
Her last outing for Australia came nine months ago, in December 2024 against India, before a complex knee surgery in January extended her absence from the game. The operation was particularly delicate, given that it was performed on the same knee where she had ruptured her ACL in late 2022.
“It’s probably a little bit complicated, the knee at the moment, just coming off the back of an ACL and then having to have another surgery on top of that,” Molineux told cricket.com.au. “We were aiming to play some games before that World Cup, but the way it’s panned out is I’ll probably get into it at the World Cup, no (better) way to rip a Band-Aid off than that.”
With her recovery timeline ruling out domestic cricket, The Hundred, and Australia A fixtures earlier this winter, Molineux had to rethink her preparation. Traditionally known for building rhythm through constant overs in match situations, she instead turned to more tailored training blocks at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, where she worked closely with head coach Shelley Nitschke.
“With her recovery timeline ruling out domestic cricket, The Hundred, and Australia A fixtures earlier this winter, Molineux had to rethink her preparation. Traditionally known for building rhythm through constant overs in match situations, she instead turned to more tailored training blocks at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, where she worked closely with head coach Shelley Nitschke.”
The lure of making her ODI World Cup debut after missing the 2022 edition in New Zealand due to a stress fracture has also sharpened her focus. “The cherry of a World Cup is definitely something big. I’ve never been to a one-day World Cup, so the sound of that was always chiming in the back of my head throughout the winter.”
Molineux’s career since her debut in 2018 has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, with shoulder, foot, and knee issues restricting her to just 13 ODIs out of a potential 59. Yet in those limited opportunities, she has been devastatingly effective, 23 wickets at 14.39 and an economy of 3.29 underline her control and threat with the ball in this format.
National selector Shawn Flegler reinforced her value when speaking to the media, “When she’s been 100 per cent fit and available, she’s been in our best XI absolutely. We’re blessed with what we’ve got, but at her best, I think she’s in our best XI.”
Australia will travel to the subcontinent armed with four frontline spinners, reflecting the turning conditions anticipated across India and Sri Lanka. Off-spin allrounder Ashleigh Gardner remains the undisputed leader of the pack, while leg-spinner Alana King has cemented her spot since debuting in 2022. Leggie Georgia Wareham’s return adds further tactical variety.
That leaves Molineux fighting for a spot, most likely against Wareham, unless Australia opts for all four spin options. Flegler hinted selection may be condition-driven, “There might be conditions that favour orthodox spinners or the leg-spinners. If the ball is wet, orthodox spinners can generally grip the ball a little bit better as well.”
For Molineux, though, the bigger picture may not be about guaranteed selection but about rediscovering the thrill of top-level competition. “It’s (also) just about getting back and feeling good out on the cricket field again, no matter what colours I’m in,” she said.
Australia, the seven-time ODI World Cup champions, begin their campaign against New Zealand in Mumbai on October 1. For Sophie Molineux, it could be the ultimate chance to prove that persistence pays, and that sometimes the boldest way forward really is to rip the Band-Aid straight off.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
