Australia star in doubt for India ODIs after picking knee injury
Australia’s full-time captain Alyssa Healy injured her left knee and was ruled out of the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League.
The news was announced by her WBBL side, Sydney Sixers, who confirmed that Healy would not participate in the remainder of the tournament.
This injury leaves Healy in a race to become fit for the upcoming home ODI series against India, which begins on 5 December.
Injury concerns had struck Healy earlier in the season too, when a ruptured plantar fascia ruled her out of the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final clash against South Africa, which the latter won to secure a place in the final. In Healy’s absence, Tahlia McGrath led the side in the tournament, and might don the same role if the keeper fails to get fit in time for the India matches.
The home series against India will be followed by an away ODI tour of New Zealand, following which the Aussies will return home to face England in the multi-format Ashes.
WATCH: Alyssa Healy lights up World Cup 2022
Speaking in the context of her latest injury, Healy said that they will have to wait for future developments to get a clearer picture.
“There's a bit going on in there. We'll know more in the next 10 days, to see how it responds to everything that we're trying to do, and then we'll probably make a plan for then.
“The Ashes is really important, and there's obviously a Test match in there as well, so the word 'workload management' keeps jumping up.
WATCH: The best of Beth Mooney from T20 World Cup
“But we'll just manage it week by week and see what I can and can't do, and move from there."
The Women’s Ashes commences from 12 January and will be a multi-format contest comprising three ODIs, three T20Is, and a single Test.
There is a possibility that Healy might take part in the series, solely as a batter. In that case, Beth Mooney will be donning gloves.
“I'd actually rather do my job properly, and that's keeping,” Healy added. “If that does happen, we've got a pretty handy backup in Beth Mooney in the squad already, so I'm sure we could find a spot if that was completely necessary.”
However, at present Healy’s focus remains on regaining full fitness.
“But obviously at this point in time it's to be right to keep and bat, and hopefully captain. We'll just sit and see how that unfolds.”