Sophie Molineux’s Rise to Becoming Australia’s All-Format Captain

Sophie Grace Molineux has been appointed captain of the Australian women’s national cricket team across all three formats, marking a major leadership transition for the world champions. The announcement, made on 29 January 2026, confirms Molineux as the successor to Alyssa Healy, who will retire at the end of the upcoming home series against India.

At 28, Molineux becomes one of the few players to captain Australia across formats, a role that reflects both her on-field impact and her standing within the team since her international debut in 2018.

Where it all began

Born on 17 January 1998 in the town of Bairnsdale, Molineux’s journey began early. Introduced to cricket by her father, Mark, she was talent spotted at the age of ten by former Australian coach John Harmer, who later became her private mentor.

Her junior career was decorated with standout moments. She claimed a hat trick for Gippsland during the 2013–14 Under-18 state championships and went on to captain Victoria at the 2015–16 Under-18 national championships. While playing for Dandenong in Victorian Premier Cricket, she scored her maiden First XI century in October 2015.

Women’s National Cricket League

Molineux made her WNCL debut for Victoria in October 2016 and quickly established herself as a reliable all-rounder. Her maiden season yielded seven wickets at an average of 20.71, earning her the inaugural Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year Award at the 2017 Allan Border Medal ceremony.

Her first Player of the Match performance came in January 2020 against Tasmania, where she combined figures of 3/33 with a fluent 80-run knock in a five-wicket victory.

International Rise and World Cup Success

Molineux made her T20I debut in March 2018 against India and her ODI debut later that year against Pakistan. She played every match in Australia’s victorious 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, claiming key wickets and operating as an opening bowler in the final.

Despite a serious shoulder injury in 2019 that required surgery, she returned strongly, making her Test debut during the Women’s Ashes in England. Her all-round performance at Taunton including figures of 4/95 underlined her ability to adapt to the longest format.

Leadership Moment

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Cricket Australia confirmed that Molineux will take over the captaincy following Alyssa Healy’s retirement at the end of the home series against India. Healy, 35, will lead Australia in the ODI and Test matches of the series, while Molineux will captain the T20I side. Molineux will then assume full leadership duties for the tour of the Caribbean in March, becoming Australia’s captain across formats.

“It’s a real honour to be named Australian captain,” Molineux said. “Following on from Alyssa, who’s had such a huge impact on this team and the game, is incredibly special.”