Australia issue Ashes fitness update and name 13-strong Test squad

Australia have already retained the Ashes thanks to victory in the first four matches of the series – the three One Day Internationals and the first T20I.

But the world’s top-ranked team across all formats will be forced to fall back on their squad depth for the remainder of the Ashes due to injuries to two key players.

Australia Test Squad:

Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Captain Alyssa Healy sat out Thursday’s second T20I with a foot injury that will also keep her out of the third and final T20. The veteran batter has not yet been ruled out of the series-ending Test match, which is due to start on Thursday January 30, but Cricket Australia say that “her availability for the Test match will be determined in due course”.

“Alyssa has got a stress response in her foot,” national selector Shawn Flegler told local media.

“We’re going to try and get a little bit more information before we make a call on her. It’s a big call for Alyssa.”

Australia also have ongoing concerns over the fitness of all-rounder Ash Gardner, who currently tops the ICC Women’s ODI all-rounder rankings and sits third in the T20I rankings.

Gardner also missed Thursday’s second T20I and Cricket Australia have not put a timeline on her return to action, saying: “Ash Gardner will continue to be assessed daily, and her availability for the 3rd T20I remains uncertain.”

Both Healy and Gardner have been included in a 13-strong squad for the Test match.

With two such important players nursing injuries, Australia have opted to call up all-rounder Heather Graham to the T20 squad.

The selectors named an unchanged XI for the second T20I, but Graham could feature in the third and final 20-over contest. She is not part of the squad for the Test.