A bowling all-rounder last seen in a national team in 2021 heads Australia’s Test squad, which will face South Africa at the WACA in Perth on February 15. Sophie Molineux has returned to the Australian squad for the first time in over three years, having excelled in domestic cricket and led the Australian Governor General’s XI to a T20 triumph over the touring South Africans in late January. Australia names women’s test squad for historic match against South Africa.
Australia names women’s test squad for historic match against South Africa
Molineux is now at the top of the wicket-takers list in the Australian 50-over domestic league. Recovered successfully from an ACL injury that sidelined her for more than a year. She has 17 wickets at an average of 14.47.
“Molineux has put in a huge amount of work off-field over the past 12 months and her performances. WNCL for the Governor-General’s XI since returning from an ACL injury have been impressive.
“A multi-skilled cricketer with strong leadership qualities, Sophie has been highly rated by the National Selection Panel for a long period.
The match is the first women’s Test between the two nations. South Africa last featuring in red-ball cricket back in 2022 against England in Taunton which ended in a draw. Six of the Proteas’ 14-member squad have earned their maiden call-up in the format.
- Australia squad: Alyssa Healy, (C) Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield. Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.
- South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi. Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloé Tryon, Delmi Tucker.
