Molineux sidelined with back soreness for remainder of multi-format series against India women’s national cricket team

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Australia have suffered a significant setback in the ongoing multi-format series against India women’s national cricket team, with allrounder Sophie Molineux ruled out of the remaining matches due to lower back soreness. The injury will keep her out of the final two ODIs as well as the one-off Test at the WACA Ground.

Molineux, who is expected to assume leadership responsibilities across formats once Alyssa Healy retires, has been replaced in the ODI squad by allrounder Nicola Carey. This is Australia’s only change from the XI that secured a six-wicket victory in the ODI opener.

The hosts are already dealing with injury concerns, with Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth sidelined due to quad injuries. Both remain doubtful for the upcoming Test match.

India win toss, opt to bat in Hobart ODI

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has recovered from a minor leg niggle sustained during the first ODI, won the toss and elected to bat first under sunny skies at the Bellerive Oval. The surface is expected to be flat and batting-friendly.

India have made notable changes to their playing XI. Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma makes her ODI debut after featuring in five T20Is, while seam-bowling allrounder Amanjot Kaur also comes into the side. They replace Shafali Verma and Renuka Singh, who have been rested.

After suffering a 2-1 defeat in the T20I leg, Australia responded strongly with a commanding win at the Allan Border Field. The victory provided momentum for Healy’s farewell tour and levelled the multi-format series at four points each.

This ODI series also marks both teams’ return to 50-over cricket since last year’s World Cup, where India stunned Australia in the semi-finals on their way to a historic title win on home soil. India will now be eager to maintain that momentum and chase their first-ever ODI series victory against Australia.

With no rain forecast in Hobart and the series finale scheduled for Sunday at the same venue, conditions are set for a decisive and high-scoring contest.

Playing XIs

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma