Cricket

Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux faces a race against time to recover from a fractured rib and be fit for the upcoming New Zealand series and T20 World Cup. The injury, sustained during training, will sideline her for up to eight weeks.Molineux's absence is a significant blow to Australia's preparations for the World Cup, which begins on October 3 in Bangladesh. The left-arm spinner and hard-hitting batter has been in impressive form since returning to the national team in February after a string of injuries.In her comeback Test against South Africa, Molineux took 3 for 10 in the first innings. She then starred in the T20I series against Bangladesh, claiming six wickets at an average of 8.33 and earning Player of the Series honors.Molineux's injury has also ruled her out of the Hundred, where she was set to join Manchester Originals. Grace Harris, another likely selection for the World Cup squad, will also miss the tournament due to a calf strain.Kim Garth will replace Molineux at Originals, while Megan Schutt has been added to the Spirit squad as a replacement player. These signings have necessitated adjustments to the Australia A squads that will face India A in Queensland next month.Maitlan Brown and Kate Peterson have been called up to the Australia A T20 squad, while Brown will also feature in the one-day matches.Despite the setbacks, Australia has a busy international schedule ahead. They will host India in early December before traveling to New Zealand for three ODIs. The multi-format Ashes, featuring a day-night Test at the MCG, will take place in January.Australia will then return to New Zealand in late March for another series. The WBBL will commence a week after the T20 World Cup, while the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) is expected to be held in early March.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has returned to the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season, signing a one-year deal as a pre-draft signing. Matthews' return comes after a disappointing debut season with the Renegades, where she struggled to replicate her impressive performances for the West Indies.Despite finishing as the Renegades' joint-leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, Matthews managed only 255 runs at an average of 19.61 and a strike rate of 114.34. The Renegades endured a forgettable campaign, finishing bottom of the table with just two wins.However, the Renegades are hopeful that Matthews' return, along with the availability of Sophie Molineux after injury and the potential addition of Tayla Vlaeminck, will boost their prospects for the 2024-25 season."We haven't achieved what we've wanted to the last couple of years but with some key members back and some new additions cooking up as well, I'm confident we can go out there and put it all together," Matthews said.Matthews is the fourth overseas player to be signed ahead of the WBBL draft, joining Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), and Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars).Meanwhile, in domestic moves, the two Sydney clubs have bolstered their pace attacks. Courtney Sippel has signed a three-year deal with the Sixers after moving from the Heat, while Taneale Peschel has joined the Thunder from the Perth Scorchers.Peschel, who was talked out of retirement by Thunder coach Lisa Keightley, is excited about the opportunity to play under her former Western Australia and Scorchers coach."At the Scorchers, I've been given…every opportunity, but I felt like I'd been stagnant for the last season or two," Peschel said. "I always play the safe card and I've always stayed in WA and thought, okay, I'm still getting opportunity, I'll stay here. I think just this year, something clicked.""I thought, I've got to try something else. I've got to stop playing a safe card. Who knows what something like a change to another team can offer my career."

Australia's all-rounder Sophie Molineux made a triumphant return to ODI cricket, leading her team to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second match of the three-game series. Molineux, who had been sidelined for over a year due to injuries, claimed impressive figures of 3 for 10 from 10 overs, helping to restrict Bangladesh to a meager total of 97.Bangladesh's innings was characterized by a lack of resistance, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Molineux played a pivotal role in their downfall, claiming the wickets of opener Shamima Sultana, captain Nigar Sultana, and all-rounder Fahima Khatun. The Australian bowlers, including Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King, collectively overwhelmed the Bangladesh batters, with only No. 9 Nahida Akter managing to reach double figures.In response, Australia's batters chased down the target with relative ease, despite losing three early wickets. Ellyse Perry top-scored with an unbeaten 35 from 50 balls, anchoring the innings and guiding her team to victory. Phoebe Litchfield and Tahlia McGrath both fell cheaply, but Perry combined with Gardner to steer Australia to a comfortable win.Molineux's performance was particularly impressive, as she demonstrated her versatility and ability to contribute in both bowling and batting. Her return to the Australian set-up is a significant boost for the team, as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.Australia's victory gives them a 2-0 lead in the series, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Wednesday. The series will be followed by three T20Is, providing both teams with valuable preparation for the global tournament.