With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 set to begin before September ends, several teams are banking on returning stars to power their campaigns.
Here’s a look at the top five players making comebacks, looking sharp, ready to contribute, and possibly make headlines.
Sophie Molineux – Australia’s Spin Allrounder
Australia’s Sophie Molineux is finally back. She’s spent nearly nine months on the sidelines after knee surgery, but now finds herself in her first Women’s ODI World Cup squad. Instead of being eased in, she’ll dive straight into action. She won’t appear in the ODI series against India, but will join the squad just in time for a single warm-up against England.
“It’s probably a little bit complicated, the knee at the moment, just coming off the back of an ACL and then having to have another surgery,” she said. “There’s no better way to rip a Band-Aid off than at the World Cup.” It’s a bold return and one Australia seems confident she can handle.
Alyssa Healy – Australia’s Wicketkeeper-Opener
Alyssa Healy’s road to recovery has been steady. She returned to competitive cricket in August after battling a stubborn knee injury all summer. That return has shown enough grit that selectors put her back in as captain for the World Cup. Healy’s return isn’t just about runs or keeping, as she also brings leadership and experience that only a few other players can match.
Georgia Wareham – The Spin Comeback Kid
Spin bowler Georgia Wareham has fought back from multiple ACL surgeries over the past few years. After her third operation and a long rehab, she’s back in form and contributing to Australia’s plans for the summer. Her rapid rise from being injured to reclaiming a spot shows her resilience and makes her one to watch.
Heather Knight – England’s Former Captain
England’s former skipper Heather Knight will miss the home season after a serious hamstring injury, but her outlook is optimistic. An MRI scan confirmed the damage, ruling her out of domestic fixtures and The Hundred. Despite that, the England board expects she will recover in time for the World Cup.
Knight brings experience and calm, and given England’s plans under new coach Charlotte Edwards, her return could anchor their middle order and rebuild their campaign.
Yastika Bhatia – India’s Young Wicketkeeper
India received a blow when wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia went down with a left knee injury during their Vizag camp. She was ruled out of both the Australia series and the World Cup. However, her inclusion before the injury shows how highly the BCCI rated her.
In her absence, Assam’s Uma Chetry has joined the squad. Bhatia’s recovery timeline isn’t clear yet, but if she returns for future tournaments, India will get back a steady middle-order presence and backup behind the stumps.
What These Returns Mean for Their Teams
Each of these players offers more than just playing skill, since they also bring balance, options, and power to their teams. Molineux gives Australia a spin batter who bowls tight and hits deep. Healy’s experience and counterattacking top order are hard to replace. Wareham adds spin variety when pitches turn. Knight stabilizes a rebuilding England outfit. Then, Bhatia’s return, even if it will be later than many hopes, ensures India stays deep in both batting and keeping options.
Fans tracking every update around squads and injuries are constantly scrolling through cricket news portals and community platforms. Many even check sites like https://www.10cricklive.com alongside mainstream outlets, just to stay on top of recovery timelines and selection debates.
Who’s Still Watching from the Sidelines?
There are players just outside this list who might still come into contention. Jess Jonassen, Australia’s six-time World Cup-winning spinner, has no contract this season despite playing well in domestic cricket. Tayla Vlaeminck, returning from shoulder rehab, also remains a watch point. In England’s camp, Sophie Ecclestone was rested to recover from a knee injury.
Both Judith Basara and Issy Wong are returning to fitness after recent injuries. Their statuses will be worth watching over the next weeks.
Conclusion
The upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup will be as much about recovery as it is about records. Teams will depend on these returning players to hit the ground running. Molineux looks ready to prove her form, Healy and Knight are central to leadership plans, and India will hope Bhatia can return for future tours.
Spin options like Wareham also point to a deeper bench strength. Injuries are still part of the game, but these players show that comebacks are just as powerful, especially when they happen at the right time.
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