Melbourne [Australia], December 14: Australia Women’s all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Women’s Championship series against New Zealand due to a knee injury, Cricket Australia confirmed.
Molineux has been managing knee issues throughout the summer. Although she participated in the final two matches of Australia’s 3-0 series win over India, she experienced discomfort after the final ODI in Perth.
In her absence, all-rounder Heather Graham has been called up as her replacement for the New Zealand series.
“Sophie Molineux has been withdrawn from the NZ Series due to knee soreness. 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,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
This injury is a significant blow for Australia, especially with the upcoming Ashes series starting on January 9. However, captain Alyssa Healy is set to make her return after recovering from a knee injury sustained during the Women’s T20 World Cup, which had ruled her out of the tournament’s later stages and the India series.
The ODI series against New Zealand will begin on December 19, with the second and third matches scheduled for December 21 and 23. All matches will be held at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Schedule:
- First ODI: December 19
- Second ODI: December 21
- Third ODI: December 23
Australia’s Updated Squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.