Australia women’s captain Sophie Molineux monitored for Bangladesh series; Lucy Hamilton ruled out of ODIs, Darcie Brown sidelined with back injury

Australia women’s skipper Sophie Molineux has been named in a 14‑player squad to face Bangladesh and New Zealand, but her availability remains in doubt because of a hip injury. Lucy Hamilton has been ruled out of the ODIs against Bangladesh due to a mild quad strain, while Darcie Brown is unavailable for both series after a back injury sustained during the Australia A tour of India. Grace Harris, a member of the T20 World Cup‑winning squad, has been omitted from the squad for both series.

Molineux and Hamilton are included in the combined squad for three home ODIs against Bangladesh on 9‑14 October in Brisbane and three home T20Is against New Zealand on 18‑22 October in Sydney.

Molineux will be monitored ahead of the series, with selector Shawn Flegler indicating her involvement will be assessed over the coming days. “Sophie has been named in the squad but has been managing a hip injury, so her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed over the coming days,” Flegler said.

Should Molineux be unavailable, a leadership decision will be required. Both vice‑captains Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner are named in the squad, and Gardner needs Cricket Australia board endorsement to retain the vice‑captain role after her relationship with teammate Georgia Voll became public.

Hamilton suffered a minor quad strain at training but is expected to be fit for the T20 series against New Zealand. If Molineux cannot play, Australia will have only 12 players for the three‑match Bangladesh ODI series, which will be held over six days at Allan Border Field.

Flegler described Harris’ omission as unfortunate. “With the T20 squad reduced in size and limited opportunities during the World Cup, Grace is unlucky to miss out on selection but remains in the frame moving forward,” he added.

Australia squad vs Bangladesh and New Zealand

Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (T20I only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

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