Molineux, Hamilton named for Aussies despite injury concerns

Sophie Molineux will go into next month's white-ball series against Bangladesh and New Zealand under an injury cloud, as the Australian captain faces a race against time to recover from a hip injury.

Rising left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton has been ruled out of the three one-dayers against Tigers starting in Brisbane on October 9, with selectors hopeful she will return for the three T20Is in Sydney from October 18.

Australia ODI and T20 squads: Sophie Molineux (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (T20I only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham 

South Australian quick Darcie Brown, who was a surprise omission from Australia's T20 World Cup squad in June, has been ruled out of the series with a back injury while Hamilton suffered a minor quad strain suffered at Queensland training. 

While Molineux has been named in both squads for the three ODIs against Bangladesh and three T20Is against the White Ferns, she is no certainty to play with her availability will be assessed in the lead-up to the matches.

The hip complaint is a setback for the Australian skipper, who overcame a back injury earlier in the year to play every game of the T20 World Cup in England, named captain of the team of the tournament as her side stormed to their seventh title.

Grace Harris is the only other omission, aside from the injured Hamilton, from the squad that lifted the trophy at Lord's.

"Sophie has been named in the squad but has been managing a hip injury, so her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed over the coming days," national selector Shawn Flegler said.

"Lucy suffered a mild quad strain at training, but we’re hopeful she’ll recover in time to be fit and firing for the T20 series.

"Darcie was assessed on her return home from the Australia A tour to India and has a back injury. Her availability for the Women's Big Bash will be determined over the coming weeks.

"With the T20 squad reduced in size and limited opportunities during the World Cup, Grace is unlucky to miss out on selection but remains in the frame moving forward."

All of the Australian players, bar Molineux and Hamilton, are playing WNCL for their states with week, with vice-captain Tahlia McGrath making a major statement against Victoria, blasting 154 from 137 deliveries.

The T20Is will be Australia's first matches in the format since winning the World Cup, and they will face a new-look New Zealand team following the international retirements of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu.

The White Ferns will also arrive in Australia with an interim head coach in charge after they parted ways with Ben Sawyer earlier this month.

The three games at North Sydney Oval will also be Australia's only T20Is ahead of the inaugural T20 Champions Trophy, to be played in India next February after original hosts Sri Lanka were stripped of the tournament due to governance issues.

"These six matches will provide a great challenge for the side following the World Cup, with both Bangladesh and New Zealand presenting different challenges," Flegler said.

"Bangladesh will be a really good test, particularly with the quality they have in their bowling attack.

"It’s also a great opportunity for our batters to get exposure to subcontinent-style bowling ahead of the Champions Trophy in India."

The three one-day internationals against Bangladesh form part of the 2026-2029 ICC Women's Championship. Running every four years, the 11-team Championship determines which sides, alongside the yet-to-be-determined hosts, will gain automatic qualification for the 2029 ODI World Cup.

Australia, who won all three previous editions, currently hold an unblemished 3-0 record after sweeping the West Indies in their first series of the cycle in April.

NRMA Insurance Women's ODI Series v Bangladesh

First ODI: Friday, October 9 (D/N)

Second ODI: Sunday, October 11 (D/N)

Third ODI: Wednesday, October 14 (D/N)

* All matches played at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, starting at 1:50pm local

NRMA Insurance Women's T20 Series v New Zealand

First T20I: Sunday, October 18

Second T20I: Tuesday, October 20

Third T20I: Thursday, October 22

* All matches played at North Sydney Oval starting at 7:15pm AEDT

All women's international matches will be shown live on Seven, 7Plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel