Cricket Australia is preparing to name a new captain for the women’s national team across all three formats following Alyssa Healy’s decision to retire from international cricket. According to 7Cricket, star all-rounder Sophie Molineux is expected to take over as Australia’s all-format captain, leading the team in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Healy has confirmed that the upcoming home series against India in February and March will be her final appearance for Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter has also opted out of the T20I matches, giving the team time to settle on a new leader ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.
Sophie Molineux Tipped as Australia’s Next All-Format Captain
As reported by veteran cricket journalist Daniel Cherny via Channel 7, Sophie Molineux is set to be named Australia’s new captain across all formats. The decision has surprised some observers, especially with vice-captain Tahlia McGrath not being chosen to replace Healy.
Molineux is no stranger to leadership. She has captained the Melbourne Renegades since 2021 and guided the team to the finals during the 2024–25 season, adding weight to her credentials for the national role.
A Look at Sophie Molineux’s International Career
Sophie Molineux made her international debut in March 2018, playing a T20I against India in Mumbai. Later that year, she earned her ODI cap against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur. Her Test debut came in challenging circumstances during the Ashes series against England at Taunton in July 2019.
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In T20Is, Molineux has played 38 matches, taking 41 wickets at an average of 18.68 with an economy rate of 5.78. In ODIs, she has claimed 31 wickets in 17 games at an impressive average of 17.00, including career-best figures of 4/14.
She has also made valuable contributions in Test cricket. Across three matches, she has taken seven wickets, with best figures of 4/95, and added 97 runs from the lower order, underlining her ability as a genuine all-rounder.
Alyssa Healy Opens Up on Her Decision to Retire
Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Alyssa Healy explained that a mix of injuries and mental exhaustion played a major role in her decision to step away from the game. She admitted that it had become harder to push herself the way she once did.
“It’s been a long time coming. The last few years has been probably more mentally draining than anything else. A few injuries. I’ve got to dive into the well, and the well is getting less and less full of water. Getting harder to dive back in there,” Healy said.
She also reflected on how her mindset had changed over time.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve had a competitive edge in that I want to compete, I want to win and I want to challenge myself on the park. I’ve felt as I’ve got a little bit older, I’ve not necessarily lost all of it, but I’ve lost some of that.”
The turning point, she said, came during last year’s WBBL.
“I think the WBBL [last year] was probably a bit of a wake-up call. Not being able to hold the bat with two hands didn’t help either, but waking up and going, ‘just another day of cricket’, really surprised myself because I still thought I loved playing the game.”
A New Era on the Horizon
With Alyssa Healy set to bow out, Australia’s women’s team is preparing for a new chapter. If confirmed, Sophie Molineux’s appointment would mark a significant shift, placing a proven leader and experienced all-rounder at the helm as the team looks ahead to major tournaments and a busy international schedule.
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