Sophie Molineux ruled out of India series with back soreness

Sophie Molineux has been sidelined for the rest of the multi-format series against India due to a back issue. 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 had featured in the series opener in Brisbane, bowling five overs and taking 1-17, and wasn't required to bat.

The injury could put her in doubt for the series against the West Indies next month, with CA indicating that her fitness will be monitored in the lead up to it.

Last month, Molineux was named Australia's all-format captain to succeed Alyssa Healy, who is set to retire at the end of the India series. Molineux led the team in the three T20Is against India that Healy did not feature in, and was set to deputise the Australia great in her final international game, the one-off Test.

At the toss, Healy told Fox Cricket: "The Sophie Molineux news today was a bit of a shock for everyone and a disappointing one for her. Hopefully we can rally around those three (Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth are also injured) and give them the love they need moving forward."

In her absence, Australia have the option of handing over the reins to one of the two vice-captains Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.

Molineux has suffered a series of injuries in the past: she missed the 2022 Ashes and ODI World Cup to a foot injury and couldn't make it the Commonwealth Games that year as well. She also missed out on the 2023 T20 World Cup due to an ACL injury. Most recently, Molineux's participation in the 2025 ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka was being carefully managed upon return from a knee injury.