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Super Smash Finals LIVE from 2pmThe captaincy phone call that changed Molineux's life
Sam Kosack • January 30th, 2026 3:41 pm
Sophie Molineux is hoping to return Australia to the top of all three formats having taken over as the new Australian women’s cricket captain across all three formats.
Announced yesterday to be taking over from the retiring Alyssa Healy, Molineux will lead Australia’s women through a packed schedule, including the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The 28-year-old made her international debut in 2018 in Australia’s T20 side, before debuting in the ODI and Test side by the end of 2019.
Molineux will look to build on the legacy set by Australia’s two previous captains, Healy and Meg Lanning, as Australia look to recapture the T20 and ODI World Cup trophies.
“It's obviously a massive honour,” Molineux told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The process was a long one, so it’s been a slow build to the final phone call but I (feel) enormous pride and then having those chats with family back home, it was really special.
“The first phone call was just before Christmas, and it was ‘gday, you're interested' sort of thing… and then a couple of days ago, the chairman of CA (Cricket Australia), Mike Baird, called and confirmed it all.
“I've been really lucky to have played in Meg Lanning's team and Alyssa Healy's over the last few years. Being a part of that and watching them go about their business as leaders, I've definitely learned a lot off them.
“I've been really lucky to have played under and with some incredible leaders and people.
“Meg, firstly, she really stayed consistent, no matter where we were in the world or how we were going in a match.
“You really couldn't tell if we were ahead or behind in a game and she sort of loved leading from the front and with her actions, and she goes down as one of the greats for that Australian team, for sure.
“Midge (Healy was) very similar to Meg in that in big games, she was incredible.
“She's always sort of tried to lead from the front, lead through actions, and she stayed really true to herself.
“Knowing Midge for a long time before she was in that role, she's a bit of a larrikin and a really good mate so to have seen her go into that role, be really successful as an Australian captain and stay true to herself, that's certainly something I'll be looking to do.”
It is the first time since 2015/16 that Australia have not approached the T20 World Cup as the previous victors.
With a new crop of cricketers coming through, including Phoebe Litchfield and Darcie Brown, Molineux knows the responsibility of guiding her team through the transitional period ahead of the tournament.
Molineux will get her first taste of captaincy in the all-format series against India next month, taking over the T20 team, before assuming control in the Test and ODI arenas after Alyssa Healy retires following the series.
“I think we're actually in a really exciting spot,” Molineux said.
“We've lost the last couple of World Cups, which we haven't done for a long time so rather than just surviving at the top, we're now going out to get these trophies again andI think that comes with a little bit of freedom and (can) hopefully unleash the shackles on what could be a really successful period for us.
“I think we've got an amazing group of generational talent. We've got Phoebe Litchfield at one end of the scale, and we've still got Ellyse Perry churning out runs.
“So, bringing that all together and hopefully playing a really courageous way, and training and preparing potentially a little bit differently to go to new heights.”
Tahlia McGrath will remain as vice-captain across all formats, with Ashleigh Gardner also promoted to co-vice-captain.
