A major setback has hit the Australian women’s cricket team ahead of their high-stakes ODI World Cup clash against arch-rivals England. Captain Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of the match after sustaining a minor calf strain during a training session on Saturday. Her absence comes as a significant blow to the defending champions, who have been in dominant form throughout the tournament.
Big blow for Australia
Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Healy’s injury will be assessed again later this week, with hopes of her return for the final league fixture against South Africa. Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke expressed disappointment over Healy’s untimely injury but remained confident in the squad’s ability to adapt.
“Really unfortunate there for Midge [Healy], but we know we have got some options. It’s twofold — it’s a big loss for us because she’s our captain and has been in terrific form, scoring back-to-back hundreds. But we talk a lot about our depth, and this is a chance for others to step up,” Nitschke said in Indore on Tuesday.
Nitschke emphasised the importance of team flexibility in a long tournament, stating, “This is exactly why you bring 15 players — to be able to absorb when things like this arise. While it’s not ideal, we’re confident we have the players to cover that gap.”
Star all-rounder to lead Australia in the clash against England
With Healy unavailable, Tahlia McGrath will step into the captaincy role for the crucial encounter against England. The all-rounder has been Australia’s deputy since 2023 and has previously led the side in limited-overs matches, earning praise for her calm and composed leadership.
Known for her all-round prowess, McGrath has often been seen as one of the key pillars of the current Australian setup. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball, along with her tactical understanding, makes her a natural fit to lead the team in Healy’s absence.
Georgia Voll likely to step in for Alyssa Healy
Rising star Georgia Voll is the frontrunner to replace Healy in the playing XI. Nitschke described her as the “obvious choice” but said the final decision would depend on team balance and matchups.
“Georgia Voll is here and has filled that role before. We’ll sit down today and make sure we’re getting our combinations right before finalising the XI,” added Nitschke.
Voll, who impressed early in her ODI career with a century in just her second match, has been putting in long hours at the nets. She faced both pace and spin at the Holkar Stadium, even practising scoop shots to counter England’s left-arm spinner Linsey Smith.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
