Sophie Molineux set to be named Australia's all-format captain

In a significant leadership shift, left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux is set to be named Australia Women's new all-format captain. The 28-year-old Victorian has emerged as the frontrunner ahead of Tahlia McGrath.

This follows Alyssa Healy's recent announcement of her retirement from all international cricket after the upcoming home series against India. Healy has also excused herself from the T20 leg of that series to allow her replacement more time to settle in ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

The official announcement of Molineux's appointment is expected soon, coinciding with squad selections for the multi-format series against India.

Molineux's elevation caps a remarkable comeback story. She was sidelined with a stress fracture in her foot during Australia's 2022 Ashes triumph, their ODI World Cup win, and Commonwealth Games gold medal campaign.

Upon her domestic return, she led the Melbourne Renegades to their maiden WBBL title, taking 16 wickets. She also won the 2024 WPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, finishing as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps. This form earned her a recall to the national side and a new contract.

Further knee trouble ruled her out of the Ashes and WPL 2025, but she returned ahead of the ODI World Cup in India, where her playing time was managed carefully.

Tahlia McGrath, the designated vice-captain under Healy, has been overlooked, possibly due to a poor run of form. She had a modest ODI World Cup and a quiet WBBL season with the bat.

However, her leadership record has been stellar: she captained Australia to victory in all six ODIs she led and won eight of the nine T20Is she skippered, with the sole loss coming in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa.