Molineux hoping to shoulder Ashes load

Australia are crossing their fingers allrounder Sophie Molineux will be fit in time for this winter's Ashes tour of England after the rising star went under the knife on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Victorian has undergone a shoulder reconstruction to repair damage sustained to her right shoulder during a state training session earlier this month, which ruled the left-arm spinner out of the ongoing Commonwealth Bank ODI Series against New Zealand.

The injury is a blow for Molineux after she made a bright start to her international career in 2018, but Australian medical staff are hopeful they can get the allrounder match-ready before the first ODI against England in Leicester on July 2.

In three ODIs, Molineux has taken six wickets at 6.50 – incredibly, bowling with an economy rate of 1.50 – while in her 15 T20Is, she's picked up 15 scalps at 20.06.

She played a key role in helped Australia claim their fourth T20 World Cup title in the Caribbean in November and went on to help the Melbourne Renegades reach the Rebel WBBL semi-finals for the first time before being injured in the lead-up to the first ODI against the White Ferns.

"Sophie underwent a shoulder reconstruction of her non-dominant right shoulder on Wednesday," Australian physiotherapist Kate Mahony said.

"She's currently recovering at home, and a return to play timeframe will be decided in the coming weeks."

Speaking to the Unplayable Podcast ahead of the ODI series, fellow left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen – who knows the feeling of being sidelined through injury after undergoing three knee operations – said she felt for the talented young Victorian.

"I was gutted for her," Jonassen said. "As soon as I read the news I sent her a message to let her know I was thinking of her.

"It's never nice getting injured and on top of that having to miss a series as well.

"But she's a tough cookie and being a country kid, I know she'll bounce back from that.

"For her the good thing is she's so young, there's definitely plenty more cricket ahead of her and this is just a minor setback."

Molineux is one of several players Australia will be keeping a close eye on in the lead-up to the multi-format Ashes, which will feature three ODIs, three T20Is and one Test.

Fellow Victorian Tayla Vlaeminck is continuing her recovery from a partial ACL tear sustained during the WBBL season but is expected to be fit and firing barring any further setbacks in time for the Ashes.

Australia will also hope one-day opener Nicole Bolton, who was unavailable for this series due to personal reasons, will return to take on England.

The third and final ODI against New Zealand will be played at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Sunday, beginning 10.50am local.

The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and the Seven Network and can be live streamed via Kayo, with news, scores and highlights on cricket.com.au and the CA Live App.

CommBank ODIs v NZ 

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

February 22: Australia won by five runs

February 24: Australia won by 95 runs

March 3: Third ODI, Junction Oval, Melbourne