“Molineux suffered an acute rib fracture after being struck by a ball in the chest while batting last week,” a CA statement said. “Harris suffered an aggravation of a calf injury sustained in her preparation for The Hundred and the upcoming season. She is now working through a graduated rehabilitation and return to play program.”
Australia play three T20Is against New Zealand between September 19 and 24 before heading to Bangladesh for the World Cup which starts on October 3.
Molineux, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, returned to Australia colours in February for the first time since 2021 after a run of injuries. She made her comeback in the Test against South Africa in Perth then was named Player of the Series in the T20Is against Bangladesh having taken six wickets at 8.33. Earlier in the tour she took 3 for 10 on her return to the ODI side.
Kim Garth will replace Molineux at Originals while Megan Schutt has also been added to the Spirit squad as a replacement player.
Outside of Harris and Molineux, the only Australia contracted players who will not be playing in either the Hundred or the Australia A series are captain Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Darcie Brown who is continuing her recovery from a stress fracture of the foot.
Internationally, Australia have another busy season ahead. They host India at home in early December before heading to New Zealand for three ODIs. In January there is the multi-format Ashes, which features a day-night Test at the MCG, then a return trip across the Tasman in late March. There is also the WBBL which starts a week after the T20 World Cup while the WPL is expected to take place in early March.