Lucy Hamilton earns maiden Test call-up for India series

Impressive 19-year-old left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton has earned her maiden call-up to Australia's Test squad for the upcoming one-off game against India at home, while Nicola Carey returns to the ODI fold after last playing international cricket in 2022.

As reported by Cricbuzz, Australia have named Sophie Molineux as the captain across formats following the retirement of Alyssa Healy. Healy will lead Australia for one last time in the ODIs and the Test during the India series, which will be her last. Molineux will be her deputy in those two formats. Ashleigh Gardner has meanwhile, been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia McGrath going forward.

Hamilton secured the Young Gun Award at the recently-concluded WBBL after picking eight wickets in nine outings for Brisbane Heat. She was also the captain at last year's U19 World Cup. Carey, who declined a national contract in 2023, has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit. She was the Player of the Year in 2023-24 when she helped Tasmania to their maiden 50-over title, and was also the Player of the Match in the final of the Women's Hundred in 2025.

Among omissions, leg-spinner Alana King (T20I) and Megan Schutt (ODI) have missed out.

Australia T20I squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (captain), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Australia ODI squad:Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alyssa Healy (captain), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Australia Test squad: Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alyssa Healy (captain), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Speaking of Molineux's appointment, Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said: "Sophie is a terrific player and leader who brings a wealth of experience and success to the role and someone we are proud to have lead this great side."

"Sophie is an outstanding leader and we are thrilled for her to take on the role," Cricket Australia's Head of Performance (Women's Cricket) and National Selector Shawn Flegler said. "Sophie is highly respected within Australian cricket, and her resilience, composure and proven domestic leadership makes her the right person to lead the team into a new era.

"We will continue to manage Sophie's workload, prioritising key tournaments and major international series following injury challenges in recent seasons," he added.

Flegler also spoke about two vice-captains strengthening the leadership group. "Tahlia McGrath remains vice-captain, recognising her significant leadership contribution under Alyssa Healy. Tahlia has acted as stand-in captain on 16 occasions across formats, providing consistency and stability. Ash Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia, strengthening the team's leadership group. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required."

India's tour of Australia will kick-start with the three T20Is on February 15, 19 and 21 in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide respectively. The action then shifts to 50-overs, with the games on February 24, 27 and March 1 in Brisbane and Gabba. From March 6, the two teams will contest the one-off Test in Perth.