Alyssa Healy, captain of Australia’s women’s cricket team, has been sidelined from the highly-anticipated World Cup showdown with England. She was injured in practice Saturday with a calf injury. This recent development does pose a significant challenge for the team. Healy has been one of the stars of the entire tournament and she’s far from alone as she leads all run-scorers with a staggering 294 runs in just four innings.
For Healy, the smashing form included a sensational 142 versus India and an unbroken 113 against Bangladesh. Her talent at the World Cup is no secret, none more so after her famous knock of 170 against England. That majestic, poetic performance in the 2022 Christchurch final proved pivotal in helping Australia become champions once again. Named ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, Healy’s contributions have been pivotal to her team’s success.
Unfortunately, the injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Australia set to face off against England in a final group stage match. Perhaps more than anyone, Healy will be missed deeply. Her all-around batting excellence and leadership by example changed the game.
Beth Mooney as the Wicket Keeper Replacement
Beth Mooney now becomes the first option keeper. In the meantime, Tahlia McGrath will take over as captain of the squad as they navigate these unfortunate circumstances.
Healy is now in a race against time to get fit for the semi-finals. Those very important games are scheduled for October 29 in Guwahati or Colombo and October 30 in Mumbai. This newest injury brings a recent history of other major injuries that the cricketer has endured in the past years. Then came significant knee and foot injuries throughout the 2024-25 season. As a result, she missed the entirety of the Sydney Sixers’ WBBL season, an ODI series against India and the T20 leg of the Ashes.
It was in August that Healy really started to recover from that injury. He starred in six exhilarating white-ball games for Australia A against India A in Queensland. Her presence on the World Cup roster was a testament to her grit. Of course, it validated her will to get back on top. This latest withdrawal casts further doubt on her readiness. Australia will need her to play at her best as the Matildas hope to sprint all the way to World Cup glory.
The Australian women’s team will have to re-form fast as they face this vastly unanticipated test sans their captain. Even so, the upcoming semifinal clash against England will be very important, and without Healy, the team’s chemistry will naturally change.
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