Molineux ruled out of India series with back soreness

Due to a back problem, Sophie Molineux will miss the remainder of the multi-format series against India. The 28-year-old allrounder did not feature in the second Women's ODI in Hobart, with a Cricket Australia media release specifying "lower back pain". Molineux did not have to bat in the series opener in Brisbane, where he bowled five overs and got 1-17. She might not be able to play in the series against the West Indies next month because of the injury, and CA said that her fitness will be checked before that. Molineux was named captain of Australia's all-format team last month to replace Alyssa Healy, who will retire at the end of the India series. Molineux was set to take over for Healy in her final international game, the one-off Test, and led the team in the three T20Is against India that Healy didn't play in. "The news today was a bit of a shock for everyone and a disappointing one for her," Healy told Fox Cricket at the toss. We can hopefully unite around those three (Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth are also hurt) and show them the love they require going forward. Australia have the option of delegating control to one of the two vice captains, Tahlia McGrath or Ash Gardner, in her absence. Molineux has a history of injuries, including a foot injury that kept her out of the Ashes and ODI World Cup in 2022 and the Commonwealth Games that same year. She also missed the T20 World Cup in 2023 because of an ACL injury. Following his return from a knee injury, Molineux's participation in the 2025 ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka was being carefully managed.