‘All signs really good’ on Alyssa Healy

Healy has been the form player for Australia opening the batting, winning Player of the Match in their first three games with scores of 48, 56* and 53. The second of those scores was a 21-ball half-century against Ireland. In her last eight batting innings, she has made six scores above 50, and seven above 45.

In the last Group B match in Guyana, against India, she collided with Megan Schutt and played no further part in the match, sitting out with a mild concussion. It threw the batting order off, as Australia lost by 48 runs.

The team had said she was “on track” to participate in the semi-final against the Windies on Thursday, 22 November. She took part in team training on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“From what I saw, she went really well,” said Lanning, on the eve of the big match. “She was batting alongside me in the nets, and it looked like she was enjoying herself and hitting the ball well.

“Now we've just got to wait until the morning to see how she pulls out from that. But all signs are really good at the moment. She's ticked every box that she's needed to, but yeah, we just need to see how she goes in the morning before we make the final call.”

Having Healy in the XI would be “a massive boost” for the team, added Lanning. “It would be great for her to be out there.

“She's been the form player of the tournament, made it look very easy at times. It would be a massive boost for us if she is to be available, and as I said, everything is going to plan at the moment.”