The morning after leading Australia to another ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, captain Sophie Molineux proudly stood with the trophy in front of London’s Tower Bridge as she looked back on a memorable tournament.
A few months ago, not many people expected Molineux to be in this position. At the start of the year, the 28-year-old was not seen by many as the first choice to replace Alyssa Healy as Australia’s captain. Some people also questioned her place in the team and wondered if she would be fully fit after back injuries affected her preparation before the tournament.
However, Australia’s selectors always believed in her. Molineux had already shown her leadership by successfully captaining teams in domestic cricket, and that faith has now been rewarded.
Australia have remained the strongest team in women’s cricket because they are never afraid to make changes when needed. After a disappointing 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, the team made several changes. Those decisions helped Australia win the 2020 and 2023 Women’s T20 World Cups, along with the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
After falling short in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup and finishing runners-up in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, some people believed Australia were no longer as dominant as before.
Instead, Australia made another bold decision by appointing Molineux as captain, and she has now led the team to another world title. “I’m extremely proud. I was extremely proud before yesterday played out,” Molineux began speaking to Crystal Arnold in an ICC Digital exclusive.
“The way that the team’s playing at the moment and playing for each other, how it feels, it’s a really enjoyable space to be in. I’m just lucky to be able to do it with a group of incredible people. Days like yesterday, and I suppose the next few days, is when you get to stop and probably reflect. I feel a whole lot of gratitude, that’s for sure.”
Australia controlled most of the final after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Their bowlers picked up early wickets and never allowed England to build a big score, restricting the hosts to 150. Australia then chased the target comfortably, reaching it in the 18th over to win their seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.
Although the chase looked comfortable, Molineux admitted she stayed nervous until the match was almost over. “I was actually really nervous (in the) run chase,” Molineux began. And then we got to about three runs to win, only then I could sort of relax. I suppose as soon as we got those, we ran out, and that was just pure elation. It’s hard to put into words, moments like that.”
One of the most memorable moments after the victory came when her teammates lifted her into the air during the celebrations. Molineux laughed while remembering that special moment. “I was very embarrassed to be put up. I think it was Pez (Ellyse Perry) and Volly (Georgia Voll), I think they just picked me up and went along with it.”
Molineux also enjoyed an outstanding tournament with the ball. She finished as Australia’s highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets in seven matches and had an economy rate of just over one run per ball.
She said her main focus throughout the tournament was simply to stay true to herself. “I think there’s a balance there between keeping things light and fun and understanding that we are just playing a game, a sport that we love together, and then balancing that out with representing your country and having enormous pride in doing that and wanting to perform on the biggest stage. So there’s been a lot of hard work put in for a lot of people behind the scenes. The last six months have been really enjoyable.”
The success became even more special because Molineux had to overcome several injuries before the tournament. She missed most of Australia’s home multi-format series against India because of back problems and only played as a batter during Australia’s tour of the Caribbean in March.
Earlier in her career, she also suffered a foot stress fracture in 2021 and an ACL injury that kept her out of T20I cricket for two-and-a-half years.
Despite those setbacks, Molineux led Australia through an unbeaten Group A campaign before guiding the team to a convincing semi-final victory at The Oval and then a memorable win over England in the final at Lord’s.
Winning the trophy against the hosts in front of a packed crowd made the achievement even more special. “Yeah, it does hit different (as captain). The whole tournament hits different. I suppose there was a big lead up to it. There was a little bit more responsibility, and I suppose you ride all the emotions probably a little bit more intensely. But I was just over the moon for the group. The group deserved that.”
“I think we came in with a lot of belief, and we’ve done a lot of work on how we wanted to play and how we want the things to feel like, and how we’re going to respond when there is pressure or at times they were coming at us. We did a lot of work in preparation for this and I suppose there’s always nerves coming into it, not knowing if we work or not. For it to all to play out the way it has, it’s extremely satisfying.”
Australia’s celebrations also became a major talking point after the team recreated Shane Warne’s famous photo on the Lord’s balcony. Molineux, however, revealed that the idea did not come from her.
“It was actually Pez’s idea, she said ‘you got to get a Warney photo’. I think the girls wanted it to happen as well and I just went along with it. It turned out pretty good. I think the team one up there (on the balcony) could be a wallpaper on my phone for a little bit.”
From facing questions about her captaincy and fitness before the tournament to lifting the Women’s T20 World Cup trophy at Lord’s, Molineux completed an unforgettable journey. With the full support of her teammates and selectors, she led Australia through an unbeaten campaign and helped the team win another Women’s T20 World Cup title.
Her story showed the value of belief, hard work and resilience, while Australia once again proved why they continue to set the standard in women’s cricket.
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