King in, Molineux dropped from Aussie contract list

Leg-spinner Alana King has been handed a Cricket Australia contract for the first time, with Australia's selectors making just one change to their contract list following their unbeaten World Cup campaign.

Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has been dropped after an injury-plagued 12 months, while state teammates Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham have been retained despite also being on the long-term injury list.

Cricket Australia women's contract list, 2022-23: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

The rest of the 15-player list is as expected, with Grace Harris and Amanda-Jade Wellington the only members of their triumphant World Cup squad to not earn a central contract.

Having been omitted from Australia's side for their tour of New Zealand 12 months ago, Molineux regained her spot for all seven matches against India at the start of the 2021-22 season due to an injury to fellow left-armer, Jess Jonassen.

She was then ruled out of the Ashes and World Cup due to a foot injury as Jonassen returned to play a key role in Australia's victory in New Zealand.

"Sophie Molineux is unfortunate to miss out on a contract, she’s been an important part of the side over the last couple of years," said Shawn Flegler, Australia's chief selector.

"Unfortunately, she's missed a large amount of cricket due to various injuries, but we feel she can continue to play an important role with a more consistent run of matches. We'll continue to work with Sophie and have full confidence in her finding her way back into the squad."

The elevation of King, who had been upgraded to a full contract during the summer after playing every match of the Ashes and World Cup in the absence of Wareham, means there are two leg-spinners on the 15-player list.

Wareham, who ruptured her ACL last year, is expected to be sidelined until the 2022-23 summer, but her return would create an intriguing selection showdown with King, who impressed in her rookie international season.

The eventual return from injury of Vlaeminck will also add interest given the impressive form of fellow speedster Darcie Brown during the Ashes and the World Cup.

"Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck retain their contracts, which enables us to continue to support them on their return to play after suffering long-term injuries," Flegler said.

"Both are progressing well in their rehab, and we look forward to seeing them in action at some stage during the summer.

"Alana King came into the side during the Ashes and hasn't missed a beat. "She produced match-winning performances across all three formats and thoroughly deserves her spot on the list. After the loss of Georgia Wareham to injury, we were in a fortunate position to be able to replace her with another outstanding leg spinner in Alana.

"It's a real credit to Alana and the Australian Cricket system to have someone of her calibre waiting in the wings ready to go."

Players can be upgraded to a central contract by being selected in the national side during the year, as King was in 2021-22. Players are upgraded when they accrue 12 points, with women's players earning four points for a Test match and two each for an ODI and T20.

Flegler identified Molineux, Wellington, Harris and fast bowler Stella Campbell, who all played for Australia during the past 12 months, as uncontracted players on the radar for future selection.

Cricket Australia women's contract list, 2022-23: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham