World Cup rests make Molineux's return a rollercoaster

Sophie Molineux admits battling with being rested for parts of Australia's World Cup campaign, but understands as medical staff take a conservative approach to her knee.

Molineux has featured in just two of Australia's four ODI World Cup matches so far, after playing her first game since December against New Zealand earlier this month.

The left-arm fingerspinner was put on ice for the next match against Pakistan, before returning against hosts India and missing the most recent win over Bangladesh.

Molineux is expected to be fit for finals, and is every chance of coming into Australia's team for the top-of-the-table clash with England in Indore on Wednesday.

The staged return comes after Molineux managed just 18 matches across all formats for Australia since the start of 2022.

The Victorian first ruptured the ACL in her left knee while bowling in a WBBL match that year, on return from a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a foot injury.

She returned to cricket in early 2024, before needing another surgery on her knee last summer that ruled her out for the majority of this year.

That prompted the managed return for Molineux, with conversations around it beginning months ago.

"There is that initial response 'I'll be fine'," Molineux told AAP.

"And then you probably slow down and listen and think a bit more rationally rather than just run off emotion.

"With 50-over cricket there is more to it in terms of load and time on feet. You can't really replicate it at training, with the same intensity and emotion.

"We'll keep monitoring it, the staff and coaches have been incredibly supportive to put me in the best position to be able to perform."

That doesn't make the situation any easier for someone who has missed so much cricket in recent years.

"If I let it get in my mind there it is a bit of a rollercoaster," Molineux said.

"I've had a few months to prepare myself that this would be the case. Being able to wrap my head around it and understand their rationale, I am fully behind that.

"But it definitely is a battle at times.

"You get a taste of it and you're running around and it is all you want to do, but then the next game looks a bit different."

Having Molineux fit for finals looms as crucial for Australia, particularly if the sub-continent wickets become tired and offer more spin.

There has been a wide range of pitch conditions in the tournament, from the flat wicket for Australia's chase of 331 against India to much lower-scoring games.

"It's been hard to predict," Molineux said.

"A big things is to be flexible and notice it as soon as possible.

"Whoever is the first spinner to run the gauntlet, the others are pretty quick to get their head around it and work out their best length and pace."