After extending ‘Gades agreement, Molineux is on the verge of making a comeback
Sophie Molineux, a former Foundation Renegade, and the international spinner have extended her contract with the Melbourne club for two years.
Molineux, who is still just 24, made her Renegades debut as a youngster in the Weber WBBL’s first season and will play in red until at least the conclusion of WBBL|09.
With 87 wickets, the left-arm orthodox allrounder is the Renegades’ all-time greatest wicket-taker. He was named captain last season under new coach Simon Helmet and led the club to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Adelaide Strikers.
Unfortunately, she did not play again this summer due to a stress fracture in her right foot, which forced her to withdraw from Australia’s multi-format Ashes series against England.
Molineux hopes to resume batting and bowling in the nets over the following two months, allowing her to return to the field in time for the WBBL season later this year.
“It’s gone a little bit longer than we first planned, the last game I played was the semi-final at Adelaide Oval so that was about six or seven months ago now,” she said.
“Definitely playing the patient game at the moment. It’s been a really different process and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of having a longer-term injury — I’d never do it again but it’s been something a little bit different than I’ve had to focus on and get right.”
Molineux was unlucky to lose out on a contract, according to Australia’s top selector, Shawn Flegler, who noted last month that she had been a significant part of the national team over the last number of years, including winning two T20 World Cups.
“Unfortunately, she’s missed a large amount of cricket due to various injuries, but we feel she can continue to play an important role with a more consistent run of matches. We’ll continue to work with Sophie and have full confidence in her finding her way back into the squad,” Flegler said.
Molineux, whose most recent outing for Australia came in a multi-format series against India in September-October last year, has played 38 times for her country in all forms, collecting 50 wickets at an average of 18.54.
Her WBBL record is as excellent, with 67 scalps and 1376 runs, including a high score of 78 not out against Melbourne Stars, her crosstown rivals. Last season, she took 10 wickets while allowing only 5.85 runs per over as the Renegades finished second in the regular season.
