The build-up to the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, set to be played from September 30 to November 2 across India and Sri Lanka, has already begun with Australia naming their 15-member squad in the early hours of September 5 (IST).
The seven-time champions have largely stuck to their tried-and-tested core but have introduced a blend of youthful promise and experienced campaigners making their debut on the grandest ODI stage. Five players, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Kim Garth, Sophie Molineux, and Georgia Wareham, will feature in their maiden ODI World Cup campaign for Australia, forming the only changes from the side that played in 2022.
Phoebe Litchfield: The Left-handed Elegance Up Top
At just 22, Phoebe Litchfield has already become one of Australia’s most promising top-order batters. Since her ODI debut against Pakistan in January 2023 at Brisbane, she has amassed 895 runs in 28 matches at an average of 37.29 and a strike rate of 80.99. Litchfield’s consistency shines through her tally of six half-centuries and two centuries, a record that speaks volumes of her adaptability across conditions.
Her role in this upcoming World Cup will be pivotal, particularly in Indian conditions that often test batters’ techniques against spin and slow surfaces. A composed presence at the crease, she could very well anchor partnerships or accelerate when required, making her a crucial figure in Australia’s top three.
Georgia Voll: Youthful Spark and a Reliable Back-Up Opener
Another exciting 22-year-old, Georgia Voll, is set to bring versatility to the squad. Having made her debut in December 2024 against India, she has immediately announced herself with 173 runs in just three innings at an astonishing average of 86.50 and a strike rate of 108.80. Though her international career is still in its beginnings, Voll’s ability to score briskly while maintaining control makes her a natural fit as a backup opener to Beth Mooney.
What strengthens her case further is her ability to bowl part-time off-spin, bringing Australia an extra bowling option in subcontinental conditions. With youth on her side and the fearlessness of a new entrant, Voll represents Australia’s depth and readiness for the long tournament grind.
Kim Garth: A Dual International with Experience and Grit
The most seasoned addition on this list, Kim Garth, carries a unique story into the 2025 World Cup. Having debuted for Ireland in 2010, she brings with her not just remarkable experience but also a second beginning, having moved to Australia in 2020 and debuted for her adopted country in early 2023.
For Australia, Garth has already been a revelation with the ball, grabbing 32 wickets in 22 innings at a superb average of 16.87 and an economy of 3.58. Her controlled seam bowling and ability to swing the new ball will add crucial balance to Australia’s pace attack, joining forces with Meghan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, and Ellyse Perry. While her numbers with the bat for Australia are modest, 95 runs at an average of 23.75, she adds lower-order steel and resilience. Garth will be a trusted option in conditions that demand movement with the new ball and subtle variations at the death.
Sophie Molineux: The Comeback Spinner with a Point to Prove
Few cricketers carry the resilience story that Sophie Molineux does heading into this tournament. The 27-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder, who debuted back in 2018 against Pakistan, has had her career disrupted by injuries, including a significant knee issue last year. However, her track record leaves no doubt about her impact when fit: 23 wickets in just 13 ODI innings at a miserly average of 14.39 and economy of 3.29.
Though she will likely miss the upcoming ODI series against India due to her final stages of rehabilitation, Molineux is expected to be fully fit for the World Cup. With her ability to stifle batters in the middle overs and chip in with the bat, she could form a strong spin quartet alongside Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham. If Molineux rediscovers her pre-injury rhythm, she has every chance to become Australia’s key weapon in spin-friendly conditions.
Georgia Wareham: The Leg-Spinning All-Rounder on the Rise
Completing the lineup of maiden World Cup entrants is Georgia Wareham, a 26-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder. Despite being part of Australia’s setup since 2018, this will be her first World Cup appearance in the 50-over format. A proven wicket-taker, Wareham has already claimed 45 wickets in 42 ODIs at an average of 26.24 and an economy of 4.28. Beyond her bowling, her contributions with the bat have grown considerably, 234 runs at a strike rate of 111.42 and an average of 33.42, showing her value as a genuine all-rounder.
In a tournament where Australia will lean heavily on spin partnerships, Wareham’s control and attacking instincts are bound to play a vital role. Whether breaking partnerships in the middle overs or building pressure through tight spells, she offers tactical flexibility, making her a likely go-to option for skipper Alyssa Healy.
Australia’s decision to introduce five maiden World Cup entrants signals a balance between grooming future match-winners and reinforcing their immediate title charge. Litchfield and Voll epitomise youthful exuberance in the batting lineup; Garth brings rich experience with a new beginning, while Molineux and Wareham inject variety and strength into the spin unit.
