The Australian women's cricket team have moved into their next era of leadership after Alyssa Healy's success was confirmed, with Muruwari allrounder Ash Gardner elevated to a permanent leadership role.
Gardner will co-vice-captain all three formats alongside incumbent vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who's missed out on the top job having already been established in the deputy position.
In somewhat of a surprise to pundits and fans, left arm orthodox spinner Sophie Molineux was appointed the side's skipper across all formats, despite injuries interrupting her inclusion in the national side in recent years.
The appointments come following current captain Alyssa Healy's retirement announcement - the 35-year-old set to bow out of international cricket after the upcoming multi-format series against India.
Gardner, young guns Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield as well as McGrath's names had been speculated as potential successors to Healy.
In recent years, Gardner's grown her leadership CV captaining T20 outfits in England, India and at home, most recently being named Sydney Sixers skipper this summer.
The allrounder has previously acted as vice-captain after becoming a mainstay across international T20, one-day and Test cricket, and crucial contributor in World Cup triumphs, as well as regular white ball and Test victories.
Gardner, 28, a two-time Belinda Clark Award winner as Australia's most outstanding player over a 12 month period, is currently chasing a maiden Women's Premier League title with the Gujarat Giants.
Molineux will first take the reins for the T20 portion of the series against India, starting February 15, with Healy opting to sit out those games given she won't appear at June's World Cup.
"Sophie is an outstanding leader and we are thrilled for her to take on the role," Cricket Australia's women's selector and head of performance Shawn Flegler said on Thursday.
"Sophie is highly respected within Australian cricket, and her resilience, composure and proven domestic leadership makes her the right person to lead the team into a new era.
Flegler added: "Ash Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain alongside Tahlia, strengthening the team's leadership group. Ash and Tahlia provide complimentary skills in support of Sophie and are also both capable of leading the team as stand-in captain if required."
Molineux said it's an honour, and she is grateful to be announced as the country's next captain.
Australia also named their squad for the series against India on Thursday, with Garnder to feature in all three formats.
In other news, Gumbaynggirr batter-spinner Anika Learoyd has been named in the Governor General's XI to face India ahead of the series.
