• Source:JND
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Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux will be racing against time to be fit for the upcoming New Zealand series ahead of the T20 World Cup after she suffered a fractured rib during training which will sideline her from the play for up to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, her teammate Grace Harris, a hard-hitting all-rounder, has recently withdrawn from England's local T20 league The Hundred due to a calf injury. Harris was a member of Australia's team that won the most recent T20 World Cup in South Africa last year, while Molineux contributed to the six-time champions' success in the previous two tournaments in 2018 and 2020.

Australia are monitoring injuries to key players less than three months out from the start of this year’s ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Molineux is anticipated to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, giving the 26-year-old little time to regain full fitness before Australia's opening T20 World Cup encounter against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on October 4. Molineux was voted Player of the Series during Australia's last T20I series in Bangladesh, and she is anticipated to head a strong spin bowling contingent at the T20 World Cup, including Georgia Wareham, Ashleigh Gardner, and Alana King.

Cricket Australia confirmed the injuries via a short statement.

"Molineux suffered an acute rib fracture after being struck by a ball in the chest while batting last week," the statement read as quoted by ICC.

"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," the statement further read.

Australia are clubbed in Group A at the T20 World Cup alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.