Molineux, a left-arm spinner, managed a knee problem during the WBBL, where she captained Melbourne Renegades to their first title, and the problem flared up again after the ODI series against India. Molineux was ruled out of the recent trip to New Zealand and now faces a new spell on the sidelines.
“Sophie Molineux will undergo left knee surgery next month, after which we will provide further updates on an expected return date,” said team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth.
A team will be named in the coming weeks for the day and night Test at the MCG at the end of January.
“It was a pleasure to see Alyssa Healy return to action against New Zealand and she looked in good contact, along with several batsmen who continued their good form from the recent series against India,” said national selector Shawn Flegler.
“While Georgia Voll did not play against New Zealand, she has made a bright start to her international career and will be a strong option with the bat if required in her first Ashes series.
“The bowling group offers plenty of variety, which will be important against a strong England batting line-up.”
The Ashes begins with the first ODI in North Sydney on January 12, followed by matches at Junction Oval in Melbourne and Hobart.
England will play a warm-up match against the Governor General’s XI on January 9 for which Healy has been selected. Legspinner Georgia Wareham has also been called up to that team in place of fast bowler Darcie Brown to give Wareham more playing time before the Ashes has only appeared in one of Australia’s last six ODIs where she was not required to bat or bowl. bowling
Australian ODI and T20I team for Women’s Ashes
Alyssa Healy (captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris (T20 only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
