Molineux in for Wareham: Analysing impact of Australia's bold change vs India

Jatin

Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham[Source: @cricketcomau, @ICC/x.com]Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham[Source: @cricketcomau, @ICC/x.com]

Australia Women came into the World Cup 2025 clash in Vizag with a plan: bring in Sophie Molineux for Georgia Wareham and choke India’s middle order that had been wobbling against left-arm spin. On paper, it looked smart but on the field, it was chaos.

India didn’t just counter they bulldozed their way to 330, their highest-ever total against Australia in ODI World Cups. The Aussies thought they had India figured out. Out of the 28 wickets India had lost in their first three games, 14 came against spin and 12 of those were to left-armers.

So, the logic made sense. But cricket is a funny game. What looks right in numbers doesn’t always play out right in real time. And on Sunday, Australia learned that lesson the hard way.

How the matchup slipped away

The warning signs came early. Sophie Molineux was thrown the ball in the eighth over. Mandhana’s eyes lit up. The left-hander danced down the track and smacked her for four through covers, then lifted one straight over long-on for six. In one over, 16 runs came and with that, the momentum swung India’s way.

When Molineux dropped short, Smriti pounced on the back foot. When she flighted, Smriti opened her shoulders. The field placement didn’t help either as deep square leg and long-on were out, gifting singles all day. By the time the first wicket came, India were already cruising at 155.

What the numbers say

  • Sophie Molineux: 10–1–75–3 (economy 7.50)
  • Three wickets on paper, but none that really turned the game.
  • One wicket-maiden in the 38th over, but India Women still posted 330 in 48.5 overs

The stat sheet might say “3 wickets” but context says otherwise. Two came when the damage was already done, one arrived at the death when India were swinging at everything. The numbers look better than the impact.

Where Molineux’s plan went off track

Molineux is a steady, controlling spinner when bowling to right-handers or new batters. Against an in-form lefty like Smriti Mandhana, her stock ball becomes a gift. The Aussies used her like a hammer when they needed a scalpel. Had they held her back till after the first wicket, or introduced her late, things could hve gone differently.

Instead, she was bowling to a batter who relishes that exact matchup. Mandhana excels against left-arm spin and attacks that line like it’s a net session. Australia walked into the trap they built themselves.

Analysing Molineux’s wickets

  • 1. Smriti Mandhana: Mandhana was flying on 79 off 64. Molineux tossed one full and wide, and Smriti finally mistimed a slog-sweep to deep midwicket. The catch came after India had already built the foundation. It was a breakthrough in name, not in effect.
  • 2. Harleen Deol: This was Molineux at her best. Tossed it up, got dip and Harleen stepped out too early, slicing it to long-off. A wicket-maiden followed but it was too little too late. The damage had been done long before.
  • 3. Deepti Sharma: At the death, Deepti went straight and found long-on. Smart line, yes. Important wicket? Not really. India were already over 300. Just a cosmetic scalp on a rough day for the bowlers.

Where the plan leaked

  • Powerplay problems: Giving Molineux the ball early backfired. Smriti pounced on everything loose. Australia should have stuck with Schutt and Garth for longer upfront to keep things tight before trying spin.
  • Middle-over mess: Gardner was Australia’s best spinner 10 overs, 1 for 40 but she was used in patches instead of pressure spells. King went for 49 in 6, Molineux for 75 in 10. The middle overs turned into India’s buffet table.
  • Death overs damage: Annabel Sutherland was the only one who stood tall with 5 for 40. She nailed her slower balls and yorkers but the support from the other end wasn’t there. Australia’s control evaporated every time Molineux, King or Tahlia McGrath returned.

How Australia should have handled Molineux

  • Delay her introduction: Handing her the newish ball against Mandhana was a blunder. She should have come in after 15 overs when the ball was softer or after Smriti’s dismissal.
  • Pair her with Gardner in the middle overs: A Gardner-Molineux combo in the middle overs could have squeezed the run flow. One controls, the other tempts the release shot. Instead, they bowled separately and allowed India breathing space.
  • Attack with field, not defend: Instead of pulling deep square and long-on back early, Australia should have packed the off-side ring. Make Mandhana hit against the turn. When you start defensive, the batter senses weakness and Smriti smelled it early.
  • Target the right batters: Molineux should have been used more against right-handers like Harleen, Harmanpreet, Jemimah and Richa. Her natural angle cramps them, forcing errors. Against lefties, she was just another matchup gone wrong.

Conclusion

Australia Women’s call to drop Wareham was brave. But bold moves demand sharp execution and that is where it fell flat. The matchup made sense on paper. On the ground, it was all wrong.

In hindsight, Molineux’s inclusion proved costly. Instead of plugging India’s spin weakness, it boosted their strength. Her early overs gave Mandhana the license to tee off, her long spells leaked runs and her wickets came only after the damage was long done.

What was meant to be a tactical masterstroke ended up tilting the game India’s way. The move to bench Wareham and field Molineux looked brave on the team sheet, but on the field, it turned into a costly misread, one that handed India both momentum and belief on a silver platter.