Molineux was almost certain to miss the finals: Mott

Sophie Molineux and Molly Strano dancing with Katy Perry was one of several videos that went viral, after Australia clinched their fifth T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8.

Molineux's participation in the final was a miracle in itself. She missed the majority of the matches due to corked thigh and according to Matthew Mott head coach of Australian team, the off-spinner's participation in the World Cup was almost over. Ellyse Perry's injury against New Zealand gave the allrounder a shot in the arm and Molineux returned for the clash against South Africa in the rain-marred semi-final. She had to give a fitness test and was still not 100% fit.

"I must admit, I didn’t expect her to get back up," Mott told cricket.com.au.

" We had medical updates on a daily basis and (our physio) Kate did an outstanding job alongside our strength and conditioning coach to get her up for that."

"You wouldn’t normally pick a player who was that uncertain, but once we lost Perry we thought it was worth the risk. It’s a real credit to the medical staff, who got her up and about. It was touch and go again on the final day and if it was any other game but a final we might have been more conservative but it was worth it."

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While playing for Melbourne Renegades in the first-ever standalone edition of Women's Big Bash League Molineux took an indefinite break to manage her mental health and well being. After returning to competitive cricket she played only two matches before hurting her thigh while fielding.

"It was an amazing learning curve for her to push through injury and still perform," Mott said.

"She has come in and out of the team through injury before and she’s been able to come back and perform straight away, so we knew her preparation, while limited, was enough for her to come in (for the finals)."

Molineux's determination and ability to stick around with the team was appreciated by vice-captain Rachael Haynes.

"It was tough for her, but you could see how determined she was to work her way through it," Haynes told cricket.com.au.

"She was so diligent, I remember sitting next to her on a plane when we were flying back from Perth and she had the ice machine with her and she was icing her leg. She didn’t feel 100 per cent when she did get out there, but she made such an impact for the team."

"It really reinforces how important that attention to detail is (in recovery). Our medical team were under the pump more than anyone through the tournament, managing the group and getting players right at the right time when we needed them."

Molineux is optimistic of putting an injury-free performance in the year 2020, but as of now she is enjoying time off from cricket due to coronavirus pandemic

"I can’t believe it actually happened," Molineux said the morning after the final. "You spend a bit of time dreaming about that sort of stuff … to do that with Katy Perry in front of 40,000 people, I can’t believe it."