Australia's promising young all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been ruled out of the upcoming one-day international series against New Zealand after sustaining a shoulder injury while diving during a fielding drill for Victoria.
The 21-year-old excelled in Australia's T20 World Cup win last year and played a crucial inning for Melbourne Renegades during their Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) semi-final.
"Sophie suffered a right shoulder subluxation whilst diving during a fielding drill at training earlier in the week," Cricket Australia quoted the Australian Team Physiotherapist Kate Mahony, as saying on Friday.
"A scan has revealed significant soft-tissue injury and as a result, she is unavailable for the upcoming series against New Zealand. She will be reviewed over the coming days to determine rehabilitation and return to play time frame," she said.
Molineux made her ODI debut against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur in October last year, collecting six wickets and conceding 39 runs during the three-match series.
She has been replaced by the seam-bowling all-rounder Delissa Kimmince, who had been dropped from the squad announced on February 13.
More From This Section
Kimmince last played an ODI against Pakistan in Brisbane in August 2014. She is in brilliant domestic form, picking up 22 wickets at 17.59 for the Brisbane Heat during the WBBL.
Australia and New Zealand will lock horns on February 22 at the WACA Ground, followed with matches to be played on February 24 at Karen Rolton Oval and March 3 at Junction Oval.