Bairnsdale’s Sophie Molineux (pictured), a left-arm off-spinner and top and middle order batter, has been selected in the Southern Stars T20 three-match series against New Zealand later this month.

The series begins with a blockbuster Saturday night match at North Sydney Oval on September 29. That match will be followed by games at Brisbane’s AB Field (October 1) and Canberra’s Manuka Oval (October 5).

The series will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the World T20 tournament in the Caribbean in November. Thirteen players have been chosen to take on New Zealand, but an extended group of 15 will fly to Guyana for the tournament.

This selection follows Sophie’s international cricket debut in the T20 series against England and India in March.

The 20-year-old grew up in Bairnsdale and played for West Bairnsdale Cricket Club before being picked up by women’s Big Bash League team, Melbourne Renegades, where she has since starred over the last two seasons, playing 38 matches, making 623 runs at an average of 23.96 and a highest score of 62.

With the ball she has taken 23 wickets at an average of 24.60 and best bowling figures of 4/18.

Sophie Molineux receives her Australian T20 cap from former Australian all-rounder, Shelley Nitschke, in India on the morning of her debut last Thursday. (Photo: Cricket Australia)