Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux is in doubt for the upcoming tour of the West Indies after being ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing series against India with lower back soreness.
Molineux, who recently captained the T20I leg of the multi-format series, experienced discomfort following the opening ODI in Brisbane. The issue has sidelined her for the rest of the series, including the second ODI in Hobart, dealing a significant blow to Australia’s leadership plans.
National selector Shawn Flegler confirmed that while Molineux is able to bat and run, bowling has aggravated the injury. Australia are unwilling to take risks, especially with a T20 World Cup on the horizon. She will undergo scans, and her workload is set to be carefully managed ahead of the squad’s mid-March departure to the Caribbean.
If Molineux is unavailable for the West Indies tour, joint vice-captains Ashleigh Gardner or Tahlia McGrath are likely to step in as captain. McGrath, however, has recently been on the fringes of Australia’s T20 side despite being named vice-captain for the second ODI.
The setback continues an injury-hit run for Molineux, who missed much of last year due to a knee problem. Her appointment as a future all-format captain had been viewed as bold, particularly with Alyssa Healy nearing the latter stages of her career.
Australia’s injury concerns extend beyond Molineux, with Elyse Perry and Kim Garth also sidelined with quad strains, leaving their availability for the upcoming Test uncertain.