An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury of Sophie Molineux could keep her out of play for over a year. The injury was sustained by the all-rounder, who is also the captain of the Melbourne Renegades, on Sunday while playing against the Perth Scorchers in Melbourne. ACL damage in the left knee was detected by scans, necessitating surgery that could keep her from moving for up to a year.
Molineux, who last represented Australia in the multi-format series against India in September–October 2021, has suffered his second serious injury this year. Due to a stress fracture in her foot that prevented her from walking for eight months, she was forced to miss the Ashes, the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Molineux just earned her first one-day century for Victoria at The Hundred, her return to cricket in August. She will, however, be out for the remainder of the Australian summer, which includes a series against Pakistan and India, due to the most recent injury. The T20 World Cup in 2023 will be held in South Africa, which is another significant event Molineux will miss.
“It’s disappointing for Sophie after she has worked so hard to come back from recent injuries and having such an outstanding start to the domestic season including scoring her first WNCL hundred,” Cricket Victoria’s Head of Female Cricket Sharelle McMahon said.
In consultation with Cricket Victoria’s medical staff, Molineux’s rehabilitation period will be decided in the coming days. “Sophie continues to set the example for the rest of the squad and we have no doubt she will demonstrate that in her rehabilitation and recovery from this setback. We’re right behind Sophie in her recovery, we’ll provide our full support in any way we can,” said McMahon.
James Rosengarten, General Manager of Melbourne Renegades, added: “Our thoughts are with Sophie, and we will do everything we can to support her now and through her recovery period. Sophie had put in a power of work over the winter to return from her foot injury and has been a fantastic leader for our team this season. We know Sophie will bounce back from this latest setback and we’ll be there with her every step of the way.”
