Sylhet: Injuries have sidelined two of Australia’s key white-ball cricketers, Sophie Molineux and Grace Harris, raising concerns less than three months before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in Bangladesh. The team is particularly worried about Molineux, a critical spinner, who suffered an acute rib fracture, potentially affecting her participation in the tournament starting in October.

According to International Cricket Council, Sophie Molineux encountered the injury while batting when struck in the chest by a ball last week. The incident could leave her out of competition for up to eight weeks, complicating her preparation for Australia’s first World Cup match against Sri Lanka on October 4. Molineux has been pivotal in past tournaments and was recently named Player of the Series during Australia’s T20I series in Bangladesh.

Grace Harris, another significant player, has aggravated a calf injury, which has led her to withdraw from England’s domestic T20 competition, The Hundred. Harris’s injury adds to the Australian squad’s challenges, as she was a contributing member of the team that clinched the T20 World Cup title last year in South Africa.

Cricket Australia’s statement detailed the injuries, noting Molineux’s condition as an acute rib fracture from an impact received during batting. It also mentioned Harris’s calf injury aggravation, which occurred while preparing for The Hundred and the upcoming season. Both players are currently following a detailed rehabilitation and return-to-play program.

Australia is placed in Group A for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where they will compete against teams like India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.