Alyssa Healy's Ashes Participation in Jeopardy Due to Foot Injury
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Synopsis
Alyssa Healy's participation in the Women’s Ashes series is uncertain due to mid-foot soreness that has sidelined her from the first T20I against England. Cricket Australia is assessing her condition and potential return.
Key Takeaways
- Alyssa Healy's mid-foot injury raises doubts about her availability.
- Tahlia McGrath will captain the team in her absence.
- Australia needs another win to retain the women’s Ashes trophy.
- Georgia Voll and Grace Harris may feature in the T20I match.
- Medical consultations are ongoing regarding Healy's injury.
New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy faces uncertainty regarding her participation in the ongoing multi-format Women’s Ashes series after experiencing mid-foot discomfort, which has ruled her out of the first T20I against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"Alyssa has developed mid-foot soreness on the same side as her previous plantar fascia injury following the ODI series. She is currently being managed in a boot and will not be available for this evening’s game.
"CA's medical team is consulting with specialists to develop an appropriate management plan over the coming days. Her availability for the remainder of the series will be assessed as more information becomes available," stated Cricket Australia (CA) in an official announcement.
In Alyssa’s absence, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath will lead Australia, while Beth Mooney will assume wicketkeeping responsibilities as Australia, boasting a 6-0 lead in the points-based series, seeks another victory to secure the women’s Ashes trophy.
With Alyssa unavailable, Australia could grant a T20I debut to Georgia Voll, who had earlier filled in during the ODI series against India in December last year, scoring a century in the second match at Brisbane. They may also consider Grace Harris, who opened for Australia during last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
After returning from the plantar fascia injury sustained in the T20 World Cup, Alyssa’s WBBL season was also cut short due to a knee issue, which limited her to batting only in the ODI series against New Zealand in December last year, while she donned the keeping gloves in 50-over matches against England.
Following the first T20I in Sydney, Australia and England are set to compete in the next two 20-over matches in Canberra on January 23 and in Adelaide on January 25. However, concerns remain over Alyssa’s fitness for the day-night Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, particularly as a keeper-batter.
