“Extremely proud” captain Molineux reflects on T20 World Cup glory

A photoshoot with a T20 World Cup trophy in July could have felt like a bridge too far for Sophie Molineux in January in the eyes of others.

The 28-year-old was not the first person predicted to be Alyssa Healy’s successor. Some on the outside had questioned both her spot in the team and her fitness, with back injuries hampering her tournament preparation only adding to any doubters' cases.

Though the spin-bowling all-rounder, who had built a resume to lead her country through domestic tournament success, had the faith of those most important - Australia’s selection panel.

An underrated aspect of Australia’s continued success has been the proactivity of making adjustments. An under par 2017 Cricket World Campaign led to sweeping changes, which in turn tightened the screws of the great Australian machine, winning the 2020 and 2023 T20 World Cups, and the 2022 Cricket World Cup wedged in between.

An under par 2024 T20 World Cup campaign and a fall at the final hurdle at Cricket World Cup 2025 could have been seen as anomalies.

Though the move to appoint Molineux, once seen as bold, is now vindicated. In front of London’s Tower Bridge, with trophy in hand, was never a bridge too far for those who trusted her.

“I’m extremely proud. I was extremely proud before yesterday played out,” Molineux began peaking to Crystal Arnold in an ICC Digital exclusive.

“The way that the team's playing at the moment and playing for each other, how it feels, it's a really enjoyable space to be in.”

“I'm just lucky to be able to do it with a group of incredible people.

“Days like yesterday, and I suppose the next few days, is when you get to stop and probably reflect. I feel a whole lot of gratitude, that's for sure.”

Australia were in control almost from the end of Rita Ora’s set in the build-up to the Final. From winning the toss and electing to bowl, the side hunting for T20 World Cup title No.7 claimed early wickets, curtailing the English to just 150.

The chase was emphatic from the side in green and gold who eased to the target at the beginning of the 18th over, and while it looked like a foregone conclusion for much of the afternoon, Molineux admits her mind was racing for most of the day.

“I was actually really nervous (in the) run chase,” Molineux began. 

“And then we got to about three runs to win, only then I could sort of relax. I suppose as soon as we got those, we ran out, and that was just pure elation. It's hard to put into words, moments like that.”

On the middle of the ground, Molineux was hoisted by teammates on the turf, a moment many will remember for many years to come but she struggles to remember with clarity.

“I was very embarrassed to be put up. 

“I think it was Pez (Ellyse Perry) and Volly (Georgia Voll), I think they just picked me up and went along with it.”

Ringing the changes on-field in a side that barely had a blemish, Molineux individually also flourished. She finished as the Aussies' leading wicket-taker with 11 across the winning run of seven matches, at an economy of just over a run a ball.

Molineux’s modus operandi was to simply be herself.

“I think there's a balance there between keeping things light and fun and understanding that we are just playing a game, a sport that we love together, and then balancing that out with representing your country and having enormous pride in doing that and wanting to perform on the biggest stage.”

“So there's been a lot of hard work put in for a lot of people behind the scenes. The last six months have been really enjoyable.”

Molineux never wavered in the build-up in spite of multiple setbacks. She missed most of Australia’s home multi-format series against India with back problems, and only played as a batter in her side’s tour of the Caribbean in March. The false starts added to a list of injuries, which also included a foot stress fracture in 2021, and an ACL injury that kept her out of T20I cricket for two-and-a–half years.

Though the skipper would prevail. Seeing through an opening victory over South Africa, Molineux didn’t look back. She led the side to top of Group A unbeaten, before a barnstorming win at The Oval in their semi-final to carry the favourites tag for the Final.

And on Sunday, her side stifled the hosts despite a parochial sell-out crowd, a feat she says is incredibly fulfilling as leader of the group. 

“Yeah, it does hit different (as captain). The whole tournament hits different.

“I suppose there was a big lead up to it. There was a little bit more responsibility, and I suppose you ride all the emotions probably a little bit more intensely. “But I was just over the moon for the group. The group deserved that.

“I think we came in with a lot of belief, and we've done a lot of work on how we wanted to play and how we want the things to feel like, and how we're going to respond when there is pressure or at times they were coming at us. We did a lot of work in preparation for this and I suppose there's always nerves coming into it, not knowing if we work or not. For it to all to play out the way it has, it's extremely satisfying.”

The captain was also brought up as a ringleader in orchestrating the team’s celebrations, though admits she was not the genesis of the now-famous recreation of Shane Warne’s photo on the Lord’s balcony.

“It was actually Pez’s idea, she said ‘you got to get a Warney photo’.

“I think the girls wanted it to happen as well and I just went along with it. It turned out pretty good. I think the team one up there (on the balcony) could be a wallpaper on my phone for a little bit.”