Alyssa Healy to lead Australia in their bid for eighth World Cup title; Molineux set to return, Tahlia McGrath named deputy

Australia's bid for an unprecedented eighth World Cup title will begin against New Zealand in Indore on October 1. The team will first play an ODI series against India, which runs from September 14-20.

Alyssa Healy will lead the 15-player Australian team for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Alyssa Healy will lead a strong 15-player Australian squad in their Women’s World Cup title defence, with Tahlia McGrath named her deputy for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Cricket Australia announced the squad on Friday for the tournament, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux is set to make her international return after being included in the squad. Molineux has not played since undergoing knee surgery in January; however, she is unlikely to feature in the three-match ODI series against India that precedes the ICC tournament.

Uncapped spinner Charli Knott has been included in the squad for the India tour to cover for Molineux. Wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum has also been selected.

Story continues below this ad

Australia’s bid for an unprecedented eighth World Cup title will begin against New Zealand in Indore on October 1. The team will first play an ODI series against India, which runs from September 14-20.

Darcie Brown (quad) and Georgia Wareham (groin) have brushed off recent niggles to take their places in the squad. With spin expected to play a significant role in the tournament, Australia will head over with four frontline spinners to choose from: Molineux, Wareham, a second leg-spinner in Alana King, and off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner.

The frontline pace options of Kim Garth, Megan Schutt – who last month revealed this will be her final ODI World Cup – and Brown will be backed up by all-rounders Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, and Ellyse Perry.

AUS Squad for ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Story continues below this ad

IND vs AUS Squad for 3-match ODI Series

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Charli Knott, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Australia tour of India Schedule

September 14: 1st ODI – Mullanpur Cricket Stadium – Punjab
September 17: 2nd ODI, Mullanpur Cricket Stadium – Punjab
September 20: 3rd ODI, Arun Jaitley Stadium – Delhi

Stay updated with the latest sports news across Cricket, Football, Chess, and more. Catch all the action with real-time live cricket score updates and in-depth coverage of ongoing matches.