Alana King earns first contract with national cricket team, Sophie Molineux dropped

Cricket Australia has unveiled its women’s contract list for 2022-23, with one star earning a deal for the first time and another missing out.

Sophie Molineux is out and Alana King is in.

Alana King is the only new face to earn a contract with the Aussie women’s cricket team for 2022-23, while her injury-plagued fellow spinner Sophie Molineux has been axed from the list.

King made her international debut in all three formats this year and most recently played every game at the WODI World Cup, which Australia won.

Every member of the Australian team that defeated England in Sunday’s final has earnt a contract.

Prior to the World Cup, King played an integral part in Australia’s victory in the multi-format Ashes and took three wickets on Test debut at Manuka Oval.

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“Alana King came into the side during the Ashes and hasn’t missed a beat. She produced matchwinning performances across all three formats and thoroughly deserves her spot on the list,” Cricket Australia’s head of performance (women’s cricket) and national selector Shawn Flegler said.

King said she could hardly believe how the past few months had unfolded.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be coming away at the end of this season an Ashes winner and a World Cup winner,” she said.

“I’m excited to just sit with the family and reflect on what’s been an awesome few months.”

It’s been a big year for Alana King. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

A foot stress fracture ruled Molineux out of the Ashes and World Cup, which Flegler said contributed to her omission from the contract list.

“Sophie Molineux is unfortunate to miss out on a contract, she’s been an important part of the side over the last couple of years,” he said.

“Unfortunately, she’s missed a large amount of cricket due to various injuries, but we feel she can continue to play an important role with a more consistent run of matches.

“We’ll continue to work with Sophie and have full confidence in her finding her way back into the squad.”

Sophie Molineux has played 27 T20Is for Australia as well as nine ODIs and two Tests. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Despite their own long-term injuries, Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck have secured contracts, while Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris have again missed out despite featuring in the World Cup squad.

Those not offered contracts are still eligible for selection in the national team and can earn contract upgrades by accruing points.

Molineux, Wellington and Harris would need to accrue 12 points to secure an upgrade; they can earn four for a Test match and two for a white-ball match.

Cricket Australia contracted women’s players

Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts CC)

Nicola Carey (TAS/North Hobart CC)

Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Bankstown CC)

Rachael Haynes (VC) (NSW/Sydney CC)

Alyssa Healy (NSW/Sydney CC)

Jessica Jonassen (QLD/Valleys District CC)

Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford CC)

Meg Lanning (C) (VIC/Box Hill CC)

Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg CC)

Beth Mooney (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)

Ellyse Perry (VIC/Dandenong CC)

Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt CC)

Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahan CC)

Tayla Vlaeminck (VIC/Plenty Valley CC)

Georgia Wareham (VIC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies CC)