Victorian all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been included in Australia’s 14-player squad for next week’s Test match against South Africa in Perth, earning her first national call-up since October 2021.
The 26-year-old, who has represented Australia 38 times since her international debut in 2018, recently returned from a ruptured ACL that kept her sidelined for over 12 months. Having previously suffered a stress fracture in her foot in late 2021, Molineux was also unavailable for the 2022 Ashes in Australia, 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa and 2023 Ashes in England.
After missing this summer’s Women’s Big Bash League, Molineux made her long-awaited return in December last year, representing Victoria in the WNCL. The spinner is currently the equal leading wicket-taker in the competition with 17 scalps at 14.47, while also scoring 167 runs at 27.83.
During last month’s Governor General’s XI match against South Africa, Molineux scored 59 and took 1-26 while leading the hosts towards a four-wicket victory.
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“She’s been through a lot over the last couple of years,” national selector Shawn Flegler told reporters at North Sydney Oval on Saturday afternoon.
“She was pretty emotional about it. She’s put in a lot of hard work over the last 12 months.
“She’s missed out on some big tournaments for us, so it was a nice call to make.”
Molineux is one of five spinners in the Australian squad, alongside Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Alana King and Jess Jonassen.
“The WACA has spun a little bit this season,” Flegler explained.
“It could turn, it could be a pace-bowling wicket … we’ve got all bases covered.”
Molineux could potentially slot into the starting XI for fellow all-rounder Gardner, who is nursing a sore hamstring. The Belinda Clark Award recipient played Saturday’s ODI against South Africa at North Sydney Oval, but it remains unknown whether she’ll be fit enough for next week’s four-day Test match.
However, if Gardner was available for selection, Molineux could be battling fellow left-armed spinner Jonassen for a spot in the starting XI.
“We’re blessed that we’ve got so many spin options,” Flegler explained.
“It’s hard to play two left-armed orthodox spinners in the same team, because we’ve got some great options with leg spin as well.
“We’ve got some great competition within the squad, and you’ve got to be on your game all the time to keep staying in the team.”
With the exception of the 2021 contest against India, which she missed due to a leg injury, Jonassen has featured in every Australian Test since her debut, but the Queenslander has fallen out of favour with national selectors in the white-ball formats.
“It’s been tough for Jess, absolutely, she’s got a great record for Australia,” Flegler said.
“We really value that and recognise it, but the players that have come in have done really well.
“She hasn’t been able to force her way back in, but the door is certainly not closed.”
The lone Test between Australia and South Africa gets underway at the WACA on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 2pm AEDT.
Australian squad for Perth Test vs South Africa
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
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