Injury Woes for Australia as Key All-Rounders Miss The Hundred Ahead of T20 World Cup

Australia's Sophie Molineux and Grace Harris are sidelined from The Hundred due to injuries. Molineux suffered a fractured rib, while Harris is dealing with a calf strain. Both are racing against time to be fit for the T20 World Cup. Replacements have been named for their respective teams.

Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux faces a battle to get fit for the New Zealand series ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup after sustaining a fractured rib. Cricket Australia confirmed the 26-year-old's injury, stating, 'Molineux suffered an acute rib fracture after being struck by a ball in the chest while batting last week.'

Molineux has been ruled out of The Hundred, where she was set to play for the Manchester Originals. Grace Harris, another key Australian player, will also miss the tournament due to a calf strain, preventing her from joining the London Spirit.

'Harris suffered an aggravation of a calf injury sustained in her preparation for The Hundred and the upcoming season. She is now working through a graduated rehabilitation and [a] return-to-play program,' Cricket Australia said. Australia will play a three-match T20I series against New Zealand from September 19 to 24.

Following the T20Is, Australia will travel to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup starting October 3. Molineux, who returned to international play in February after injuries sidelined her since 2021, was named Player of the Series in the T20Is against Bangladesh after taking six wickets at an average of 8.33.

Kim Garth has been named as Molineux's replacement for Manchester Originals, while Megan Schutt joins the Spirit squad as a replacement for Harris. Other top Australian players, including captain Alyssa Healy and Darcie Brown, who is recovering from a foot stress fracture, will also miss The Hundred and Australia A series.

(With inputs from agencies.)