No-fuss Molineux slips into lead role

Filling in for the world's top-ranked one-day bowler is no small ask, but if Sophie Molineux's first two ODI appearances are anything to go by, she's looking up to the task.

With Jess Jonassen recuperating from knee surgery, fellow left-arm spinner Molineux made her ODI debut against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, picking up one wicket and causing plenty of problems for the hosts.

On Saturday, she bagged four wickets as Australia romped to a 150-run win, sealing the series with one match to play.

From her first 16 overs of ODI cricket, Molineux boasts the incredible figures of 5-23 and skipper Meg Lanning couldn't be happier with the 20-year-old.

"She's been great, she's got a great temperament and doesn't get flustered," Lanning said on Saturday.

"Her type of bowling, just into the stumps in these conditions, is really successful and she's done that, she's been taking wickets but also not been going for any runs which also helps us tie up an end.

"I think overall the bowling unit has been working really well together, we speak about batting partnerships but I think bowling ones are just as important and I think we've seen a lot of those throughout these first two games."

Molineux made her T20I debut in India in March and spent the Australian winter at Brisbane's Bupa National Cricket Centre, training with the National Performance Squad.

Under the watchful eye of high performance coach Leah Poulton, Molineux worked tirelessly to improve her game alongside a group of up-and-coming players – including leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, who made her ODI debut alongside Molineux last week.

"I think the NPS program has played a massive role (in their performances)," Lanning said. "They spent two or three months up at the NCC being athletes 24-7 and learning what it's like to be on tour.

"I think that's really prepared them and Leah's done a great job there.

"Their personalities really fit into this squad, they're really cool to have around and they're really relaxed as well."

For Molineux, the moment she was presented with Australia ODI cap No.138 by vice-captain Rachael Haynes is one she'll never forget, as was the chance to make her debut alongside state and WBBL teammate Wareham.

"To get my first wicket (in the first game) was cool as well," Molineux said on Sunday.

"Wolfy (Wareham) and I have played a lot of cricket together over the last five or six years, and we're housemates now, so to be able to make our debuts for Australia together is really special and I will forever remember that."

Finding that the wickets at Kuala Lumpur's Kinrara Academy Ground are taking less turn than expected, Molineux put her success down to simple accuracy.

"We're just focusing on playing our roles and we're learnt over the last couple of games that it takes a lot of patience (to take wickets)," she said.

"Our plan is just to hit the stumps and I think that'll be effective no matter what the conditions.

"In terms of the pitches, they don't spin as much as we thought they would, they're a bit glassy and come on a bit quicker."

Australia will be seeking an ODI series whitewash on Monday in the third and final match, beginning 9.30am local time (12.30pm AEDT).

The Pakistan Cricket Board will provide live streaming of the game, while the match will be live scored on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.

CommBank Tour of Malaysia

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Australia T20 & World T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen (subject to fitness), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Pakistan ODI/T20 squad: Javeria Khan (c), Bibi Nahida, Ayesha Zafar, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Rashid, Sidra Nawaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sundhu, Anum Amin, Natalia Parvaiz, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Aiman Anwar

October 18: Australia won the first ODI by five wickets

October 20: Australia won the second ODI by 150 runs

October 22: Third ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 25: First T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 27: Second T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 29: Third T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground