Annabel Sutherland rested from West Indies tour, Sophie Molineux ‘expected’ to play

Sutherland was named player of the series against India where she made a century in the Test at the WACA alongside claiming six wickets. She previously opted out of the WPL with Delhi Capitals following the ODI World Cup and WBBL.

“Annabel will miss the series as part of a proactive management plan after a significant workload over the past 12 months, and we believe the extended rest will help ensure she’s at her best ahead of the World Cup,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.’

Meanwhile, Molineux is “progressing well” after being ruled out of the final two ODIs against India and the Test having reported back soreness. The West Indies tour will be her first as full cross-format captain following Alyssa Healy’s retirement, but she may not feature in every game.

“Being the final series before the T20 World Cup, it’s a great opportunity for the group to refine our plans against a challenging opposition,” Flegler said. “This tour marks the beginning of a new era for the side, with Sophie taking the reins across all formats and a new-look batting line-up following Alyssa’s retirement.

“Sophie was terrific during the recent T20 series against India and has already begun shaping her leadership style and this tour will be another important step in continuing to define how she wants to lead the side.

“Sophie is progressing well and is expected to be available to play. We’ll prioritise the T20 matches and continue to assess her across the ODI series.”

If Molineux misses matches, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath and joint vice-captains.

Left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton, who was outstanding in the Perth Test, is in line for a T20I debut while allrounder Nicola Carey has been retained following her recall for the India series and Kim Garth has recovered from her quad injury.

“We’re really pleased with how well Lucy has transitioned to international cricket, she’s had a staggered introduction and we expect she’ll get an opportunity to show what she can do in the T20 format as well,” Flegler said.

Grace Harris has been omitted but Flegler said she remained in the selectors’ thinking for the T20 World Cup.

New South Wales wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson has earned her first call-up as the reserve to Beth Mooney although will only join the tour after the WNCL final on March 21.

The tour had originally included a Test match, which would have been West Indies’ first against Australia in 50 years, but that was dropped from the schedule. The ODI leg will carry Women’s Championship points which go towards World Cup qualification.

The T20Is take place in St Vincent on March 19, 21 and 23 followed by the ODIs in St Kitts on March 27, 29 and April 2.

Australia squad for West Indies tour

Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia Wilson

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