Australia has left out pace bowler Darcie Brown from the 15-member squad announced on Wednesday (May 13) for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. The team will be captained by experienced all-rounder Sophie Molineux in Australia’s first major campaign since the retirement of former skipper Alyssa Healy. Senior players Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath have been named deputy captains.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to selector Shawn Flegler, Brown’s omission came down to team balance and the conditions expected in England. He said the panel believes the selected squad offers the right combination of stability and flexibility.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side. These squads are never easy to select but we’re confident with the balance and stability we’ve got across the group," selector Shawn Flegler said.&nbsp;Uncapped left-arm seamer Lucy Hamilton has earned her maiden World Cup call-up, replacing Brown in the squad.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-what-happened-to-brandon-clarke-memphis-grizzlies-player-passes-way-at-29-1778657625883">What happened to Brandon Clarke? Memphis Grizzlies player passes way at 29</a>&nbsp;Flegler added that raw pace may not play as significant a role in English conditions, making Hamilton’s style a valuable option.&nbsp;“With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton who offers something different as a left-arm quick," Flegler added.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Grace Harris returns to the side after sitting out the recent series against the West Indies. The selectors highlighted her all-round capabilities and ability to shift momentum quickly during matches.&nbsp;This year’s tournament begins on June 12 in England, with the final scheduled for July 5 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-updated-points-table-gujarat-titans-take-top-spot-srh-slip-to-third-1778654837009">IPL 2026 updated points table: Gujarat Titans take top spot, SRH slip to third</a>&nbsp;Australia have been placed in Group A alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Netherlands. Their campaign will begin against South Africa on June 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.<h2>Australia squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026</h2>Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Georgia Wareham&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

In the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Australia have been placed in Group A alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Netherlands. Their campaign will begin against South Africa on June 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.

Australia has left out pace bowler Darcie Brown from the 15-member squad announced on Wednesday (May 13) for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. The team will be captained by experienced all-rounder Sophie Molineux in Australia’s first major campaign since the retirement of former skipper Alyssa Healy. Senior players Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath have been named deputy captains. According to selector Shawn Flegler, Brown’s omission came down to team balance and the conditions expected in England. He said the panel believes the selected squad offers the right combination of stability and flexibility. “Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side. These squads are never easy to select but we’re confident with the balance and stability we’ve got across the group," selector Shawn Flegler said. Uncapped left-arm seamer Lucy Hamilton has earned her maiden World Cup call-up, replacing Brown in the squad. Also Read - What happened to Brandon Clarke? Memphis Grizzlies player passes way at 29 Flegler added that raw pace may not play as significant a role in English conditions, making Hamilton’s style a valuable option. “With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton who offers something different as a left-arm quick," Flegler added. Meanwhile, Grace Harris returns to the side after sitting out the recent series against the West Indies. The selectors highlighted her all-round capabilities and ability to shift momentum quickly during matches. This year’s tournament begins on June 12 in England, with the final scheduled for July 5 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Also Read - IPL 2026 updated points table: Gujarat Titans take top spot, SRH slip to third Australia have been placed in Group A alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Netherlands. Their campaign will begin against South Africa on June 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. Australia squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Georgia Wareham With inputs from agencies

In the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Australia have been placed in Group A alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Netherlands. Their campaign will begin against South Africa on June 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Sophie Molineux to lead Australia, pacer Brown misses out

Australia has named Sophie Molineux successor of outgoing Alyssa Healy as all-format women's team captain. Molineux wil take charge during the home T20I series of upcoming India's tour. She will then make way for Healy who will lead the side in her farewell ODI series as well as the solitary Test in Perth. Molineux will then take over as captain across formats including in the T20 World Cup in June later this year. Cricket Australia has also kept Tahlia McGrath as the vice-captain and named Ashleigh Gardner as the second deputy to Molineux as well.<h2>Why Sophie Molineux was chosen as Australia women's team captain?</h2>Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, edged the likes of McGrath and Gardner for the captain's role. Her success as the Melbourne Renegades captain in Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in which she led the side to drought-breaking title in 2024-25 is the major reason for her elevation as the captain.<h2>Is Molineux a good choice as Australia women's captain?</h2>Molineux is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well. She also did not play in all the matches in WBBL for the Renegades in the most recent season.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-wc-2026-fixing-contriving-to-fix-icc-suspends-usa-batter-aaron-jones-for-corruption-related-charges-1769671506297">'Fixing, contriving to fix...': ICC suspends USA batter Aaron Jones for corruption related charges</a>Australia's national selector Shawn Flegler, however, backed Molineux as the right choice despite confirming that she'll be managed in the future as well,"We will continue to manage Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required," said Flegler.<h2>Molienux record for Australia</h2>The spinner, given her injury history, has played only three Tests, 17 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for Australia. She has taken 7 Test wickets, 31 in WODIs and 41 T20I wickets in her career. In WBBL, Molineux has played 112 matches for Renegades, taking 97 wickets. In Women's Premier League (WPL), she played 10 matches for RCB-W in 2023/24 season and took 12 wickets.

Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well.

Australia has named Sophie Molineux successor of outgoing Alyssa Healy as all-format women's team captain. Molineux wil take charge during the home T20I series of upcoming India's tour. She will then make way for Healy who will lead the side in her farewell ODI series as well as the solitary Test in Perth. Molineux will then take over as captain across formats including in the T20 World Cup in June later this year. Cricket Australia has also kept Tahlia McGrath as the vice-captain and named Ashleigh Gardner as the second deputy to Molineux as well. Why Sophie Molineux was chosen as Australia women's team captain? Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, edged the likes of McGrath and Gardner for the captain's role. Her success as the Melbourne Renegades captain in Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in which she led the side to drought-breaking title in 2024-25 is the major reason for her elevation as the captain. Is Molineux a good choice as Australia women's captain? Molineux is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well. She also did not play in all the matches in WBBL for the Renegades in the most recent season. Also Read: 'Fixing, contriving to fix...': ICC suspends USA batter Aaron Jones for corruption related charges Australia's national selector Shawn Flegler, however, backed Molineux as the right choice despite confirming that she'll be managed in the future as well, "We will continue to manage Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required," said Flegler. Molienux record for Australia The spinner, given her injury history, has played only three Tests, 17 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for Australia. She has taken 7 Test wickets, 31 in WODIs and 41 T20I wickets in her career. In WBBL, Molineux has played 112 matches for Renegades, taking 97 wickets. In Women's Premier League (WPL), she played 10 matches for RCB-W in 2023/24 season and took 12 wickets.

Molineux, a 28-year-old spinner from Victoria, is certainly an interesting choice as captain, given her injury history. The spinner has not played T20I or a Test match since 2024 because of an injured knee and was managed in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup as well.

No T20I or Test since 2024: Sophie Molieneux succeeds Alyssa Healy as new Australia women's captain

Royal Challengers Bangalore&nbsp;(RCB) Women's Sophie Molineux bowled a dream over in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 final against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday (Mar 17) to help her team lift&nbsp;the trophy. Batting first, DC were on the charge with 64/0 in seven overs when Molineux bowled the triple-wicket over and derailed the proceedings.&nbsp;

The RCB bowler first dismissed Shafali Verma who was looking dangerous with 44 off 26 already to her name. Molineux then removed Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey on successive balls in the same over as DC went from 64/0 to 65/3 at the end of the over. Have a look at the wickets below:

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Sooooo good Soooooophie 🔥 
 
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— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/RCBTweets/status/1769378840307196013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Molineux eventually finished with&nbsp;figures of 3/20 in her four overs and won the Player of the Match award for her performance. DC could never bounce back from the triple blow and Shreyanka Patil's exploits ensured that they didn't play full 20 overs. Patil took 4/12 in 3.3 overs as DC got bowled out for 113 in 18.3 overs.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/wpl-2024-rcb-skipper-smriti-mandhana-proud-of-team-for-saving-best-for-the-last-after-winning-maiden-title-701307">WPL 2024: We 'saved our best for the last', says RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana on maiden title</a>

Chasing the target, RCB added 49 runs for the first wicket before Shikha Pandey removed Sophie Devine (32 off 27) in the ninth over. Skipper Smriti Mandhana (39-ball 31) then added 33 runs for the second wicket with Orange Cap winner Ellyse Perry who scored an unbeaten 35 off 37 balls.

After Mandhana's fall, Perry and Richa Ghosh added the remaining 32 runs and took the team home in 19.3 overs with eight wickets in hand.&nbsp;Mandhana praised her team after the win and said: "In tournaments like these, you need to peak at the right time, maybe we saved our best for the last."

This was RCB's first WPL title and maiden silverware for the franchise, including for RCB men's team in the WPL's sister tournament Indian Premier League (IPL).

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women's Sophie Molineux bowled a dream over in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 final against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday (Mar 17) to help her team lift the trophy.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women's Sophie Molineux bowled a dream over in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 final against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday (Mar 17) to help her team lift the trophy. Batting first, DC were on the charge with 64/0 in seven overs when Molineux bowled the triple-wicket over and derailed the proceedings. The RCB bowler first dismissed Shafali Verma who was looking dangerous with 44 off 26 already to her name. Molineux then removed Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey on successive balls in the same over as DC went from 64/0 to 65/3 at the end of the over. Have a look at the wickets below: Sooooo good Soooooophie 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2aobeTQu1g — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2024 × Molineux eventually finished with figures of 3/20 in her four overs and won the Player of the Match award for her performance. DC could never bounce back from the triple blow and Shreyanka Patil's exploits ensured that they didn't play full 20 overs. Patil took 4/12 in 3.3 overs as DC got bowled out for 113 in 18.3 overs. Also Read: WPL 2024: We 'saved our best for the last', says RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana on maiden title Chasing the target, RCB added 49 runs for the first wicket before Shikha Pandey removed Sophie Devine (32 off 27) in the ninth over. Skipper Smriti Mandhana (39-ball 31) then added 33 runs for the second wicket with Orange Cap winner Ellyse Perry who scored an unbeaten 35 off 37 balls. After Mandhana's fall, Perry and Richa Ghosh added the remaining 32 runs and took the team home in 19.3 overs with eight wickets in hand. Mandhana praised her team after the win and said: "In tournaments like these, you need to peak at the right time, maybe we saved our best for the last." This was RCB's first WPL title and maiden silverware for the franchise, including for RCB men's team in the WPL's sister tournament Indian Premier League (IPL).

WPL 2024, Final: RCB's Sophie Molineux bowls sensational triple-wicket over vs DC - WATCH

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Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Sophie Molineux to lead Australia, pacer Brown misses out

Sophie Molieneux succeeds Alyssa Healy as new Australia women's captain

WPL 2024, Final: RCB's Sophie Molineux bowls sensational triple-wicket over vs DC - WATCH