Healthy Molineux bouncing back

Discarded Aussie cricketer Sophie Molineux has bounced back from the disappointment of missing the Commonwealth Games by re-signing with the Melbourne Renegades for two years.

A foot stress fracture ruled Molineux, 24, out of Australia’s triumphant Ashes and World Cup campaigns, and she was subsequently dropped as a contracted player with Cricket Australia. But the talented bowling all-rounder confirmed she was back on track to play in the WBBL and would return to the captaincy role this Women’s Big Bash season.

“The foot’s coming on, (but) it’s gone on a little bit longer than we planned,” she said.

“The last game I played was the (WBBL) semi-final at Adelaide Oval … that was about six or seven months ago now, so

I’m definitely playing the patient game with it. Hopefully, in the next month or two, I’ll be out doing some more skills and getting back in the nets and batting and bowling again.’’

Molineux was appointed captain last season under new coach Simon Helmot, and the team lifted from seventh, to finals. She said she expected a big WBBL campaign ahead.

“I’m super pumped and really, really optimistic and looking forward to the next couple of years – especially after the last 12 months that we’ve had.

“I was really lucky to have had that first year of captaincy under Simon Helmot. He definitely took me under his wing, and we had a great group of girls who were very willing to play any role they could for the team.”

Last season Molineux was one of the tournament’s most economical bowlers.