Molineux takes charge as Australian women chase revenge against India for World Cup defeat

Sophie Molineux did not become captain of Australia’s cricket team because of a crisis or a coup, and yet she has found herself at the helm of a squad eager to navigate out of a major setback.

Molineux was named skipper last month, replacing Alyssa Healy who announced her retirement. Molineux will lead Australia’s squad in a multi-format series against their World Cup conquerors India starting this weekend.

The series will mark Healy’s final act and the first time the Australians have come together since India eliminated them at the semi-finals of the World Cup in October. The Indians went on to win the tournament, beating South Africa in the final.

For the Australians, the upcoming series – starting with a T20 match at the SCG on Sunday night – will be a chance for revenge.

“We’ve had a bit of time to reflect,” Molineux said. “It was such a good tour – that was, I think, the hardest part to cop. We had a really good time off the field together and we played really, really good cricket, and we went through undefeated until that semi-final, so I think that’s why it was so hard to cop.

“Off the back of that we went straight into Big Bash, but I think all of us still were wearing it pretty heavily, the loss.”

Meeting India again, first in three T20 matches, then three one-day internationals and one four-day Test, will be the first challenge for the new captain. It’s also a chance to try out new talent, such as 19-year-old left-handed fast bowler Lucy Hamilton, and those returning to the squad for the first time in years, as 32-year-old Nicola Carey has done.

“It’s quite ironic I suppose,” Molineux said of facing India again. “I think they’re going to come over here with a lot of confidence off the back of that World Cup and how much momentum they gained over there from India.