Sophie Grace Molineux is an Australian international cricketer born on 17 January 1998 in Bairnsdale, a regional town in eastern Victoria.
A left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox spin bowler who operates as a bowling all-rounder, she has represented the Australia women’s national team since 2018 across Test, One-Day International and Twenty20 International formats.
At domestic level she plays for Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League and captains the Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League.
In January 2026 she was appointed captain of the Australian women’s side across all formats.
She has also featured in franchise competitions including the Women’s Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Siblings
Sophie Molineux has one younger sister, Chloe.
The sisters grew up together in Bairnsdale with their parents, Mark and Therese Molineux.
Chloe has been mentioned by Sophie as a frequent travel companion, and the family has remained a close support network throughout Sophie’s career, including during key moments such as her Test debut and captaincy announcement.
Career
Molineux’s early passion for cricket was shaped by watching and later playing alongside her father Mark at West Bairnsdale Cricket Club.
Talent-spotted at age ten by former Australian coach John Harmer, who became her long-term mentor, she excelled in junior cricket.
Also Read: Kajol Devgan Siblings: All About Tanishaa Mukerji
She captained Victoria at under-18 level, claimed a hat-trick for Gippsland in state championships, and was named Player of the Championships at the 2014 Under-18 Nationals after strong all-round performances.
She made her Women’s Big Bash League debut for the Melbourne Renegades as a teenager in the competition’s inaugural season and her Women’s National Cricket League debut for Victoria in 2016.
Rapid progress followed, leading to her international T20I debut against India in March 2018, ODI debut against Pakistan later that year, and Test debut against England in July 2019.
Molineux contributed to Australia’s T20 World Cup victories in 2018 and 2020.
She has captained the Renegades since 2021, guiding them to their first WBBL title in 2024, and has also represented sides in The Hundred and the Women’s Premier League, where she played a key role in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 2024 title win.
Her career has been interrupted by several significant injuries, including shoulder, foot and knee issues that limited her international appearances, yet she has repeatedly returned to contribute with economical spin bowling and useful lower-order batting.
In January 2026 she succeeded Alyssa Healy as Australia’s all-format captain and later led the side to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.
Accolades
Molineux received the inaugural Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year Award in 2017 following a strong debut WNCL season.
In the WBBL she was named Young Gun for season three after scoring 318 runs and taking six wickets, then earned Most Valuable Player honours the following season with 354 runs and 16 wickets.
She has been a two-time T20 World Cup winner with Australia (2018 and 2020) and captained the side to the 2026 title.
Domestically she led the Melbourne Renegades to their maiden WBBL championship in 2024.
In the Women’s Premier League she earned Player of the Final recognition for a decisive performance that helped Royal Challengers Bangalore claim their first title in 2024.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
