Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s World Cup winners never doubted the decision to make Sophie Molineux captain – and the tribute to Shane Warne on the Lord’s balcony was further proof of that.
The Australian women’s cricket team snatched back their T20 World Cup crown on Sunday (Monday EST) when they thrashed England by seven wickets.
Molineux took over the national team captaincy in early 2026, but even she harboured some doubts as to whether it would work out after struggling to overcome an ongoing back injury.
But those fears were well and truly put to bed at the World Cup, with Molineux’s leadership and efforts with the ball playing a key role in the team going through the tournament unbeaten.
After the win over England, Molineux made her way onto the Lord’s balcony and poured a bottle of beer over her head.
Her teammates soon joined her to empty their drinks on their skipper, with Molineux dancing with a stump above her head in a tribute to the late Shane Warne, who did the same thing at Trent Bridge in 1997 after Australia retained the Ashes.
“Very spontaneous,” Australian star Phoebe Litchfield said of Molineux’s homage to the great leg spinner.
“Seeing the pictures stacked up against each other on socials, it’s a pretty cool moment, and it’s equally iconic, I think.”
Litchfield said the team had never doubted Molineux’s leadership.
“Soph’s been unreal, she’s been amazing,” Litchfield said.
“I know there was the clunky start, not being able to be on the park in every game … but her leadership and her presence and her beautiful mind set us up for success.
“She was really open and transparent with her situation, and that made it easier. And there was no beating around the bush.
“She was just a proud Australian leading a side, so it was pretty easy to get on that bandwagon.
“And to see those pictures there yesterday on the balcony of Lord’s … our whole group never doubted her position.”
Litchfield said she was suffering from a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) when a quad injury sidelined her for three games during the tournament.
But she returned with a bang, smashing 48 off 35 deliveries in the final to lead Australia to victory with 17 balls to spare.
“It was a dream come true,” said Litchfield, who experienced the heartbreak of Australia’s semi-final exits at the T20 and ODI World Cups in the past two years.
