Women’s World Cup: Alyssa Healy out of blockbuster England clash with injury
Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of Australia’s World Cup clash against England, with the in-form opener suffering a calf injury a little over a week out from the finals.
Officials have confirmed Healy suffered a minor strain while training on Saturday, with the captain now fighting to be fit for Australia’s final-round game against South Africa.
Tahlia McGrath will captain the Australian team in Healy’s absence, while Beth Mooney will take the gloves. Georgia Voll is expected to come into the XI.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Healy’s injury could not have come at a more frustrating time for the 34-year-old.
She missed the semi-final of last year’s Twenty20 World Cup with a foot injury, before Australia were ultimately knocked out by South Africa.
Foot and knee issues then ruined her summer, including Australia’s clean sweep of England in the Ashes.
Healy had returned to form in the past fortnight, backing up a match-winning 142 against India with an unbeaten 113 against Bangladesh last week.
Wednesday night’s clash with England marks a battle of the only two unbeaten teams of the tournament, with the winner set to claim top spot ahead of the finals.
Healy had said in the lead up to the World Cup her time away from the game had her feeling reinvigorated for both the World Cup and summer ahead.
“She’s pretty used to playing very strong cricket in World Cups,” Ellyse Perry told AAP last week.
“The form she is in and the way she is giving to the group across the board, it seems like she is certainly invigorated.”
Australia will now desperately hope to have Healy back on deck for next week’s semi-finals, where there is every chance they could face hosts India.
Originally published on AAP
