Australia have suffered a big blow in their ongoing multi-format series against India, with all-rounder Sophie Molineux ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to persistent lower back pain ahead of the second ODI in Hobart. Molineux, who had been named as Australia’s all-format captain following Alyssa Healy’s decision to step down from leadership duties at the end of this series, was a surprise absentee at the toss on Friday.
According to a Cricket Australia (CA) statement, Molineux has experienced discomfort in her lower back since the opening ODI in Brisbane and is now sidelined for the rest of the multi-format assignment. While the team’s medical staff will continue to monitor her condition, the injury has already ruled her out of upcoming matches, including the remaining two ODIs and the one-off Test at Perth’s WACA ground. Alyssa Healy confirmed Molineux's absence at the toss.
"Unfortunately, Soph has got a little bit of a niggle, so she'll be missing out in the rest of this series sadly," Healy said at the toss.
"It's a great opportunity for someone like Nic Carey to come in, played a lot of cricket out here, in particular the last few summers. Hopefully she can play her role."
Molineux’s absence comes amid an already challenging spell for Australia’s squad, with fellow senior players Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth having already been ruled out of the ODI series with quad injuries.