Australia announce 15-member squad for Women’s World Cup 2022, injured Sophie Molineux left out

Cricket Australia on Wednesday (January 26) announced their squad for the Women’s World Cup 2022. While Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris have been drafted in the 15-player squad, spinner Sophie Molineux has been ruled out of the tournament due to a stress fracture. It must be noted that Wellington and Harris made their last ODI appearance back in 2018 and 2016 respectively.

Meanwhile, Molineux’s absence is a massive blow for the Meg Lanning-led team as the left-arm spinner has been a vital part of the white-ball set-up. Besides her, Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham will also miss the flight to New Zealand due to fitness issues. Nonetheless, the side has services of veterans like Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, who would be raring to take the Aussies to glory. Notably, Hannah Darlington, Georgia Redmayne have been picked as travelling reserves.

“Amanda-Jade provides us with another quality spin option … leg-spin has been a big part of our success in recent years and while Alana King is currently doing that role for us, there’s no reason we couldn’t play both in the same team if conditions and match-ups suit,” national selector Shawn Flegler was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“Grace didn’t get much of a go in the recent T20s, but she brings the versatility to bat anywhere in the top or middle-order and her bowling could also be a real asset throughout the tournament as we’ve seen orthodox spinners have a lot of success in New Zealand,” he added.

Leaving out Sophie Molineux was a tough call: Shawn Flegler

Meanwhile, Flegler also admitted that leaving Sophie Molineux was a tough decision but she was unlikely to available before the back-end of the tournament. “Sophie Molineux unfortunately misses out due to injury; she was unlikely to be available until the back end of the tournament and with limited match time and having to complete ten days managed isolation, it was a tough call, but we weren’t prepared to take the risk,” Fleger further said.

Australia’s squad for Women’s World Cup 2022: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Travelling reserves: Hannah Darlington, Georgia Redmayne