No Sophie Molineux in Australia's 50-Over World Cup squad, Tayla Vlaeminck also misses out

Cricket Australia (CA), on January 26, announced the 15-member squad for the Women's 50-over World Cup starting from March 4 in New Zealand. Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has been left out due to a stress fracture. Notably, Amanda Jade Wellington and Grace Harris, who last played for Australia in 2018 and 2016 respectively, have been included in the squad.

Apart from Molineux, Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham will also miss the World Cup bus due to fitness issues. The team will have the services of veterans such as Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Ellyse Perry. 

Meanwhile, national selector Shawn Flegler has explained why Amanda-Jade has been included in the team. Flegler added that Grace Harris is a player who can bat anywhere according to the team's needs.

“Amanda-Jade provides us with another quality spin option … leg-spin has been a big part of our success in recent years and while Alana King is currently doing that role for us, there’s no reason we couldn’t play both in the same team if conditions and match-ups suit,” national selector Shawn Flegler was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“Grace didn’t get much of a go in the recent T20s, but she brings the versatility to bat anywhere in the top or middle-order and her bowling could also be a real asset throughout the tournament as we’ve seen orthodox spinners have a lot of success in New Zealand,” he added.

The national selector further rued the loss of Sophie Molineux due to injury. Flegler explained that the left-arm spinner was unlikely to be available until the back end of the tournament.

“Sophie Molineux unfortunately misses out due to injury; she was unlikely to be available until the back end of the tournament and with limited match time and having to complete ten days managed isolation, it was a tough call, but we weren’t prepared to take the risk,” Flegler further said.

Australia’s squad for Women's World Cup 2022: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Travelling reserves: Hannah Darlington, Georgia Redmayne