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T20 World Cup: Australia’s chair of selectors Shawn Flegler has acknowledged that the early phase of Sophie Molineux’s captaincy has been anything but conventional, citing her ongoing back issue as an unusual challenge, while backing the decision to appoint her as leader across formats.

Molineux, who succeeded Alyssa Healy earlier this year, assumed leadership duties in phases, initially during the T20I series against India and then on a full-time basis for the West Indies tour following Healy’s retirement. However, a stress reaction in her back disrupted those plans, significantly limiting her role during the Caribbean leg.

The allrounder was unable to bowl in that series and featured only as a specialist batter in the T20Is and the opening ODI before being rested for the remainder of the tour, a situation Flegler described as a setback during a crucial transition phase.