Lucy Hamilton, a teenage all-rounder, and Sophie Molineux, the skipper of Australia, will be unable to participate in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh as a result of injuries. Nevertheless, both players are expected to recover in time for the Twenty20 International series between Australia and New Zealand later this month.
Australia announced a combined 14-player team for the New Zealand T20Is and Bangladesh ODIs on Tuesday. The Australian team will be led by Tahlia McGrath, and the three-match ODI series between Australia and Bangladesh will be played in Brisbane from October 9 to 14.
The T20I team is expected to be led by current skipper Ashleigh Gardner if Molineux is unable to participate in any of the three games against New Zealand from October 18 to 22 in Sydney.
Sophie Molineux will not participate in the one-day internationals against Bangladesh.
Shawn Flegler, the national selector, has stated that Sophie Molineux’s hip injury has not sufficiently recovered to enable her to participate in the ODI series. The Australian skipper sustained the injury after returning from The Hundred, and his recovery has been slower than expected.
The Australian team anticipates that Sophie Molineux will be available for the T20I series against New Zealand and will remain with the team throughout the tour.
The Australian team will be lead by Ashleigh Gardner in their upcoming match against New Zealand.
McGrath has been appointed captain of the Bangladesh ODIs in lieu of Gardner, as Sophie Molineux is unavailable. The latter has not served as the leader of Australia in any capacity since being appointed vice-captain.
Gardner’s leadership role had been the subject of criticism following the disclosure of her relationship with teammate Georgia Voll, despite Cricket Australia’s endorsement of her continued appointment as vice-captain.
Gardner will serve as the captain for the New Zealand T20Is in the event that Molineux is unable to participate, according to Flegler.
Lucy Hamilton is unavailable for the one-day internationals against Bangladesh.
Hamilton is also unable to participate in the Bangladesh series as a result of a minor quad strain that he sustained during training. Flegler believes that the left-arm bowler will be able to participate in the Twenty20 International series against New Zealand.
Consequently, Australia will have a maximum of 12 players available for the three one-day internationals against Bangladesh, which are scheduled to be played at Allan Border Field over the course of six days.
Darcie Brown will be unable to participate in both series as a result of a back injury he sustained during Australia’s A. tour of India. Due to her injury, her eligibility for the Women’s Big Bash League remains uncertain, as she may be sidelined for up to ten weeks.
Also Read : Praveen Kumar Seeks BCCI Selection Committee Role
Furthermore, Grace Harris, who was a member of the Australian team that emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, has not been included in the roster for either series.
New Zealand and Bangladesh will be the opponents of Australia’s women’s team.
Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (T20I only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (captain), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, and Georgia Wareham.
