Melbourne, 13 May (H.S.): Australia announced its 15-member squad for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday. Captain Sophie Molineux will make a comeback to the tournament after regaining fitness, while fast bowler Darcie Brown has been dropped. Nineteen-year-old left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton has earned a spot in her place.

Meanwhile, Grace Harris has also returned to the team.

Australian selectors have included two leg-spinners, Alana King and Georgia Wareham, in the squad. In addition, left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux and off-spin all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner are also part of the team.

National selector Shawn Flegler, quoted by Cricket Australia, said that all four spinners could play in the playing XI if needed, but Alana King is currently viewed as the fourth option for spin-friendly conditions.

He stated, “Sophie is our captain and she will definitely play. Left-arm spin is considered extremely vital in women's cricket. Georgia has been a key leg-spinner for a long time, and Alana has also performed brilliantly. But currently, our priority is Ash, Sophie, and Georgia. Alana will get a chance if conditions are favorable.”

Darcie Brown's exclusion is seen as quite surprising. She played a key role in Australia's title win at the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. In the semi-final against India, she took 2 wickets for 18 runs, and in the final against South Africa, she claimed 1 wicket for 25 runs.

However, her form has been lackluster recently. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, she played only three matches, and this year in four T20s against India and West Indies, she failed to take any wickets.

Flegler said, “Darcie is disappointed, but we have been trying to establish her as the lead new-ball bowler over the past few years. She is still young, and we are confident her future is bright. This is not the end of her career.”

Lucy Hamilton's selection is the result of her impressive rise. She made her T20I debut on the Caribbean tour in March. So far, she has played just one T20I, two ODIs, and one Test, but she impressed everyone by taking six wickets on Test debut against India.

Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke said, “Lucy extracts good bounce, and her bowling has a different kind of strength. She adds a distinct identity to our bowling attack.”

Grace Harris's return to the team is aimed at bolstering the lower-order batting. She scored a century to help Queensland win the WNCL final in March and also contributed to Royal Challengers Bengaluru's WPL title win in February.

Australia gains further strength from Annabel Sutherland's return, as she was rested during the Caribbean tour.

Only Beth Mooney has been selected as the primary wicketkeeper. She will handle wicketkeeping duties following Alyssa Healy's retirement. Meanwhile, Tahlia Wilson will travel with the team as a reserve player.

Australia will play three warm-up matches against South Africa at Arundel Castle on May 31, June 2, and June 4 before the World Cup. It will then begin its World Cup campaign against South Africa at Old Trafford on June 13.

Australia's Women's T20 World Cup squad:

Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner (vice-captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wicketkeeper), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, and Georgia Wareham.

Reserve player: Tahlia Wilson (wicketkeeper).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar