Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux might struggle to be fit for the New Zealand series before the T20 World Cup after fracturing a rib during training, sidelining her for up to eight weeks.
Molineux will miss the Hundred, where she was set to play for Manchester Originals. Grace Harris, another probable World Cup squad member, will also miss the tournament due to a calf strain. A statement from Cricket Australia (CA) mentioned, "Molineux suffered an acute rib fracture after being struck by a ball in the chest while batting last week. Harris sustained a calf injury during her preparation for The Hundred and the upcoming season, and she is now undergoing a structured rehabilitation program."
Australia will face New Zealand in three T20Is from September 19 to 24 before heading to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup starting on October 3.
Molineux, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, returned to the Australia team in February after a series of injuries kept her out since 2021. She made her comeback in the one-off Test against South Africa in Perth and was named Player of the Series in the T20Is against Bangladesh, taking six wickets at an average of 8.33. Earlier on the tour, she took 3 for 10 in her return to the ODI side.
Kim Garth will replace Molineux at the Originals, and Megan Schutt has joined the Spirit squad as a replacement.
These changes have led to adjustments in the Australia A squads set to play India A in Queensland next month. Maitlan Brown and Kate Peterson have been called up, with Brown now participating in the T20 series in addition to the one-day matches, and Peterson added to the four-day squad.
Apart from Harris and Molineux, the only Australia-contracted players not participating in either the Hundred or the Australia A series are captain Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Darcie Brown, who is recovering from a foot stress fracture.
Australia's international schedule remains busy. They will host India in early December, followed by three ODIs in New Zealand in January. The multi-format Ashes, featuring a day-night Test at the MCG, will take place in January, followed by another New Zealand tour in late March. Additionally, the WBBL starts a week after the T20 World Cup, and the WPL is expected to take place in early March.