Former RCB all-rounder named as Australia's all-format captain ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Former RCB all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been named the new captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, taking over from Alyssa Healy in all three formats.

The 28-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder will first lead the T20 team when Australia hosts India in an all-format series next month. She will then become captain of the ODI and Test teams during Australia’s tour of the Caribbean in March. Tahlia McGrath will continue as vice-captain. Ashleigh Gardner has also been promoted and will serve as joint vice-captain with McGrath.

Alyssa Healy recently spoke openly about her decision to retire from cricket. She said she had slowly stopped enjoying the game the way she once did. She also felt that age and injuries were catching up with her.

Healy said the last few years were more tiring for her mind than her body. She shared that injuries made it harder to stay motivated. She explained that her energy and passion were not as strong as before. 

“I have always loved competing and winning,” Healy said on Willow Talk. “But as I got older, I felt like I lost some of that edge.”

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Selectors Make Tough Choices and Name New Captain

Selectors made some tough choices for the squads. Alana King was left out of the T20I team. Megan Schutt, Grace Harris, and Heather Graham were not picked for the ODI squad.

Many people expected Tahlia McGrath or Ashleigh Gardner to replace Alyssa Healy as captain. Both players had led the team before. However, Sophie Molineux was chosen instead. Molineux will become Australia’s ninth T20I captain when the first match is played at the SCG on February 15.

“It is a great honour to be named captain of Australia,” Molineux said. “I am very proud to follow Alyssa, who has had a big impact on this team and the game.” She added that the team has strong leaders and young talent, and she is excited to keep pushing the team forward.

Australia to Face India in All-Format Series

From February 15 to March 9, Australia will play India in an all-format series. The series will include three T20I matches, three ODI matches, and one Test match. The Test will be played after the T20I and ODI series.

For this home series, Cricket Australia announced squads for all formats. Alyssa Healy will captain the ODI and Test teams. Sophie Molineux will act as her deputy in both formats.

Nicola Carey returns to the white-ball squads after time away. Young fast bowler Lucy Hamilton, aged 19, could make her Test debut against India. Phoebe Litchfield has been named in all three squads, even though she was ruled out of the rest of the Women’s Premier League due to a quad injury.

Australia Squads for India Series

T20I squad:
Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

ODI squad:
Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Test squad:
Alyssa Healy (c), Sophie Molineux (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.