The Women’s Ashes 2025 is set to begin next month, promising a fiercely contested multi-format series between Australia and England. Australia has unveiled their squad for the white-ball segment of the series. While the lineup reflects a balance of experience and youth, it also highlights some critical challenges for the reigning champions, particularly concerning injuries and strategic roles.
Major Blow: Sophie Molineux Ruled Out
Australia will be without the services of all-rounder Sophie Molineux, who has been ruled out of the Ashes due to a persistent knee issue. Molineux, a left-arm spinner, managed the injury throughout the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), where she captained Melbourne Renegades to their first-ever title. However, the problem resurfaced after the ODI series against India, forcing her to miss the recent New Zealand tour and subsequently sidelining her for the Ashes.
Team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth provided an update, stating, “Sophie Molineux will undergo left knee surgery next month, following that we will provide further updates on an anticipated return date.”
This marks a significant loss for Australia, as Molineux’s all-round abilities and leadership qualities had been pivotal in their success.
Alyssa Healy Leads, But Questions Remain Over Wicket Keeping Role
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy will once again lead the Australian team in the Ashes. With Tahlia McGrath as her deputy, Healy brings a wealth of experience to the side. However, her role behind the stumps remains uncertain due to a knee injury.
In the recent tour of New Zealand, Healy handed over the wicket keeping gloves to Beth Mooney to manage her workload. The upcoming Governor-General’s XI match on January 9 at North Sydney Oval will serve as a testing ground for Healy’s knee and her potential return as wicketkeeper.
Healy explained, “That’ll be a great opportunity for me to take the gloves for a little bit and see how everything is progressing. But I did thoroughly enjoy running around the field in New Zealand. So, if that’s the option and is less disruptive to our side, then that could be the way moving forward. But the aim is to take the gloves and hopefully I can do that.”
She elaborated further, “Having an angry joint in there and flaring that up and knowing the really tight schedule with the Ashes as well, probably managing that and not wanting to blow it up too much that it’s going to affect my ability to play at all. So that’ll be the real test, I think, in the next 10 days, moving into the series as to how that pulls up, how it responds to keeping again, and we’ll just assess as we go.”
Jess Jonassen Left Out Despite Stellar Form
Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen, one of Australia’s most experienced bowlers, has again been left out of the white-ball squad, despite Molineux’s injury, continuing her struggle to reclaim her place in the national team. Despite her impressive career record of 96 wickets in 105 T20Is and 141 wickets in 93 ODIs, Jonassen has faced stiff competition from a strong spin department comprising Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Ashleigh Gardner, and Sophie Molineux before her injury.
Jonassen’s recent domestic performances have been exceptional. She took 17 wickets and scored 218 runs for Brisbane Heat during the WBBL. She also claimed 11 wickets in the WPL for Delhi Capitals and contributed 12 wickets and 176 runs for Welsh Fire in The Hundred. However, her omission highlights the depth of Australia’s bowling resources.
Emerging Talent: Georgia Voll Retains Her Spot
19-year-old batter Georgia Voll has secured her place in the squad after an outstanding ODI series against India, where she scored 173 runs across three matches, including her maiden international century (101). Although Voll did not feature in the New Zealand series, selectors believe her debut Ashes series will be a significant opportunity to showcase her talent.
National selector Shawn Flegler said, “Whilst Georgia Voll didn’t play against New Zealand, she’s made a brilliant start to her international career and will be a strong option with the bat if required in her debut Ashes series.”
Strategic Moves for Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham
Grace Harris has been included in the squad solely for the T20I series, offering flexibility with her power-hitting and off-spin. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Georgia Wareham has been added to the Governor-General’s XI squad to gain more match time, having played just one ODI in Australia’s last six matches without batting or bowling.
Australia’s white-ball squad for Women’s Ashes 2025:
Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris (T20Is only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Women’s Ashes 2025 Fixtures:
1st ODI – 11 January: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
2nd ODI – 13 January: Junction Oval, Melbourne
3rd ODI – 16 January: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
1st T20I – 20 January: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
2nd T20I – 23 January: Manuka Oval, Canberra
3rd T20I – 25 January: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Test Match – 30 January – 2 February: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
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