Australia name 14-player squad for Bangladesh and New Zealand Women home series

Melbourne, 30 September 2026: World champions Australia will return to international action at home in October, with Sophie Molineux set to lead a 14-player squad through ODI and T20I series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Australia will play six matches across Brisbane and Sydney in their first international assignment since securing a record-extending seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.

The home campaign begins with three ODIs against Bangladesh at Allan Border Field from October 9 to 14 before Australia heads to North Sydney Oval for three T20 internationals against New Zealand from October 18 to 22.

Molineux has been selected as captain for both formats, although Cricket Australia will continue to monitor her fitness as she recovers from a hip injury.

The series also comes with injury concerns elsewhere in the squad. Young Queensland all-rounder Lucy Hamilton will sit out the Bangladesh ODIs after suffering a minor quad strain but is expected to be available for the T20I series.

Fast bowler Darcie Brown will miss the entire international window because of a back injury identified following her return from Australia A’s tour of India. Her availability for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League will be assessed in the coming weeks.

Australia’s ODI matches against Bangladesh form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, a competition the Australians have dominated since its introduction. Australia have won each of the three completed editions and remains unbeaten in the current championship cycle.

The Bangladesh series will also provide valuable preparation for Australia’s batters ahead of the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in India in February, particularly against a bowling attack accustomed to subcontinental conditions.

National selector Shawn Flegler said Bangladesh and New Zealand would offer contrasting challenges as Australia begins its next international campaign.

“These six matches will provide a great challenge for the side following the World Cup, with both Bangladesh and New Zealand presenting different challenges,” Flegler said.

He said Bangladesh’s bowling attack should offer Australia an important test ahead of the Champions Trophy.

“Bangladesh will be a really good test, particularly with the quality they have in their bowling attack. It’s also a great opportunity for our batters to get exposure to subcontinent-style bowling ahead of the Champions Trophy in India.”

Flegler confirmed Molineux’s availability would continue to be monitored in the lead-up to the opening ODI.

“Sophie has been named in the squad but has been managing a hip injury, so her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed over the coming days.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, is expected to return for the New Zealand matches if her recovery progresses as planned.

“Lucy suffered a mild quad strain at training, but we’re hopeful she’ll recover in time to be fit and firing for the T20 series,” Flegler said.

Brown’s injury will also be closely monitored with the WBBL approaching.

“Darcie was assessed on her return home from the Australia A tour to India and has a back injury. Her availability for the Women’s Big Bash will be determined over the coming weeks.”

The three-match T20I series against New Zealand will bring together the winners of the two most recent Women’s T20 World Cups and provide both teams with another opportunity to sharpen their short-format preparations ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Australia squad (in alphabetical order): Sophie Molineux (captain) Alana King Annabel Sutherland Ashleigh Gardner (vice-captain) Beth Mooney Ellyse Perry Georgia Voll Georgia Wareham Kim Garth Lucy Hamilton (T20Is only) Megan Schutt Nicola Carey Phoebe Litchfield Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain)

ODI series v Bangladesh

October 9: Allan Border Field, Brisbane – 1:50pm AEST

October 11: Allan Border Field, Brisbane – 1:50pm AEST

October 14: Allan Border Field, Brisbane – 1:50pm AEST

T20I series v New Zealand

October 18: North Sydney Oval – 7:15pm AEST

October 20: North Sydney Oval – 7:15pm AEST

October 22: North Sydney Oval – 7:15pm AEST