Sophie Molineux has experienced a year in 2026. She is now Australia women’s captain and has led the team to the T20 World Cup title. “I didn’t envisage it 12 months ago,” she said before the new season, starting with the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) on September 29. “It’s been a whirlwind, full of highs and lows, but I wouldn’t change any of it. The experience of the World Cup, it was five or six weeks of pure enjoyment.”
The year brought difficult moments. After being named Alyssa Healy’s successor, Molineux suffered another back problem during the India series at home. It stopped her from bowling in the West Indies, although she travelled as a batter-captain before the World Cup in England. “I suppose the injuries have taken up a large chunk of the last few years for me, but the lessons that you learn from going through it just makes me really grateful to be sitting here today with some pretty special memories under my belt,” she said.
Australia lost their T20 World Cup crown in 2024 when South Africa beat them in the semi-final. They then exited the 2025 ODI World Cup at the same stage against India. In England, however, Australia responded strongly and faced little challenge on their way to the title.
They defeated South Africa by 65 runs after being 62 for 4, with Phoebe Litchfield scoring 50 off 24 balls. Molineux took a wicket in the first over of the chase. Australia then won by nine wickets, 98 runs, 113 runs, six wickets, eight wickets and seven wickets. Against India at Lord’s, they chased 171 with six balls remaining.
Molineux has encouraged a shared approach to leadership and turns to teammates for advice. During India’s innings at Lord’s, she discussed the final over with Litchfield, who encouraged her to bowl, and Molineux conceded 23 runs. “The big thing for me is being able to lean on people,” she said. Australia have five or six Big Bash captains and hundreds of games of experience, giving each player a chance to lead.
Her leadership was also tested at Melbourne Renegades. While Australia prepared for the World Cup, Cricket Victoria announced plans to merge the Stars and Renegades BBL operations into one club and put the Renegades license up for sale. Molineux helped the Renegades win their maiden WBBL title in 2024-25 and wants to finish their BBL history strongly.
Australia’s home season has nine matches: three ODIs against Bangladesh, starting October 9, followed by three T20Is against New Zealand and three ODIs against New Zealand in March. The Champions Trophy’s move to February changed the schedule and removed three T20Is from Bangladesh’s tour. Australia are due in Sri Lanka for an ODI series before Christmas.
The period includes the Champions Trophy, the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup, next year’s Ashes and a multi-format South Africa tour in March and April. “I think you have to go in waves with it,” Molineux said. Australia must plan across formats because the schedule is T20-dominant, but it still includes one-dayers and Test cricket.
Molineux is expected to play for Victoria in the opening WNCL round. Victoria lost all 12 games in 2025-26 and finished on minus points after an over-rate penalty. For Australia, Molineux wants to be part of everything after a stop-start career while managing the extra mental and emotional load of captaincy.
Molineux enters the season with greater responsibility. Australia have major tournaments over the next 18 months. Her focus will be staying fit, managing leadership demands and helping Australia prepare.
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