Molineux sets her sights on a place in history

Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux has witnessed her share of 90,000-plus crowds at the MCG in her time.

She is, after all, a Collingwood supporter and the sound of a packed MCG in full voice has been the soundtrack to some of her most memorable sporting experiences.

Until now, however, Molineux has always been part of that crowd, not playing in front of it.

The Victorian hopes to see that change on March 8 next year – International Women’s Day – when the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup is played at the famous Melbourne venue.

The goal is to draw the biggest crowd in women's sport history, eclipsing the 90,185 fans who watched the 1999 soccer World Cup final in California.

"I’m a Collingwood fan so most of the time we pack it out," Molineux said at the MCG on Wednesday, as the tournament celebrates 100 days to go until the opening match between Australia and India in Sydney on February 21.

"It’s pretty special, just being in the crowd supporting (when it’s that full) so being out on the ground would be next level.

"The image of this being packed out and us playing, that would be really cool (as it would be) for kids tuning in and seeing that and the opportunities that they could get later on."

After a tough year that’s seen Molineux in and out of the national side through injury, the left-arm spinner hopes her performances in the ongoing Rebel WBBL can ensure she is part of that Australian World Cup squad.

She dislocated her non-dominant right shoulder in February and after undergoing reconstructive surgery, returned to the Australian side for the one-off women’s Ashes Test in the UK in July.

But she missed the series against West Indies and Sri Lanka that followed, instead instructed to focus on making sure her shoulder was as strong as possible for the summer ahead.

"I’m just enjoying being back playing cricket to be honest," she said.

"It’s never nice being injured, but it’s part of the sport.

"To get back into the Australian group would be really cool and just to be out here at the ‘G, it’s a beautiful ground, one of the best in the world, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it."

Opening the batting for the Renegades in WBBL|05, Molineux has a highest score of 24 from eight innings but has fared better with the ball, taking eight wickets at 23.25.

She admitted there’s work to do when it comes to rediscovering her best form, but is hopeful of improvement with six regular-season games remaining.

"We’re lucky we’ve got some good internationals who have been holding up the stick pretty well at the top there, so hopefully further on this season I can contribute a bit more," she said.

Molineux has been opening alongside English star Danni Wyatt. The pair will return to being foes when the World Cup gets underway next February, as England look to avenge their defeat to Australia in the 2018 final.

The Ashes rivals are in separate groups for the start of the tournament but could meet in either the semi-finals, or at the MCG on March 8.

"We’re teammates at the moment… but hopefully (in March) we’re out there and playing again each other on the biggest stage," Molineux said.

Fans can buy tickets to all matches, including the women's final, from just $5 for children and $20 for adults.

Tickets are available now at t20worldcup.com.