Australian News – Sophie Molineux has broken rib, sidelined for eight weeks

“Molineux suffered a serious rib fracture after being hit in the chest by a ball during a tackle last week,” CA said in a statement. “Harris was in a lot of pain with a calf injury in preparation for The Hundred and next season. He is now working on his rehabilitation and [a] return to play program.”

Australia will play three T20Is against New Zealand between September 19 and 24, before heading to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup starting on October 3.

Molineux, a left-arm spin-bowler, returned to Australian colors in February for the first time since 2021 after injury. He also returned from one Test against South Africa in Perth, before being named Player of the Series in the T20Is against Bangladesh after taking six wickets at 8.33. Earlier in the tour, he took 3 for 10 on his return to the ODI side.

Apart from Harris and Molineux, the only contracted Australian players who will not play in the Hundred or the Australia A series are captain Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Darcie Brown, who continues to recover from a broken foot.

Internationally, Australia has another busy season ahead. They will host India at home in early December before heading to New Zealand for three ODIs. In January, there is a multi-format Ashes, including a day-night Test at the MCG, before the return trip across the Tasman in late March. There is also the WBBL which starts a week after the T20 World Cup, while the WPL is expected to be in early March.