Alyssa Healy message ignored as surprise successor named to take over Aussie captaincy

Sophie Molineux is set to succeed Alyssa Healy as the new captain of the Australian women's cricket team, with the appointment to be made official on Thursday. It comes as somewhat of a surprise, with several big names overlooked for the role, including vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who Healy admitted would have been the "natural" successor.

Healy announced in January that she's retiring from cricket after the multi-format series against India in February and March. Healy won't play in the T20 games after deciding not to take part in the upcoming T20 World Cup, meaning she'll finish her international career just one shy of a 300-game milestone.

And Cricket Australia have moved swiftly to name a replacement, with Molineux set to lead the country for the first time in the upcoming T20 series against India. Healy will remain skipper of the ODI and Test sides for her farewell matches, before Molineux takes on all three roles ahead of a multi-format tour of the West Indies and the T20 World Cup later this year.

Molineux has demonstrated her leadership qualities by helping the Melbourne Renegades claim a maiden WBBL title in 2024. And after making her international debut in 2018 she's played three Tests, 17 ODIs and 38 T20 internationals for the green and gold.

But injuries have limited her games with the national side in recent years, with foot and knee issues ruling Molineux out of World Cups and Ashes series. When fit though, the spinning all-rounder has impressed Aussie selectors and her ascension to the captaincy is evidence of their faith in the 28-year-old.

Aussie vice-captain overlooked as Alyssa Healy's successor

It is somewhat of a left-field captaincy choice though, with superstars Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney other strong candidates and hugely popular with fans. While vice-captain McGrath has been surprisingly overlooked, despite Healy talking up her qualities in the wake of her retirement announcement.

“T-Mac’s greatest quality, outside of her tactical nous, is how cool, calm and collected she is under pressure,” Healy said about McGrath. “I think she’s showcased that over the last 12 to 18 months when I’ve missed games here and there. Her ability to just step in and take charge and do it her own way has been really impressive.

“She’s been vice-captain so it obviously might look a natural choice. But she’s done an outstanding job and I think her confidence has continued to grow in that space and hopefully if given an opportunity she’ll do a fantastic job.”

As well as Molineux's unveiling as captain on Thursday, Aussie selectors are also set to name their squads for the multi-format series against India, which kicks off with a T20 at the SCG on February 15. Veteran pace bowler Megan Schutt is reportedly set to be overlooked for the ODI squad as selectors look to the future.

While Healy's 299th and final game for Australia is set to come in the one-off Test match against India, starting at the WACA on March 6. The 35-year-old will lead the country one last time, before bringing down the curtain on an extraordinary career that cemented her status as one of the country's greatest ever cricketers.

Click here to read article