Ladies’s Cricket World Cup: Australia captain Alyssa Healy suffers damage setback forward of conflict with England in Indore

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has been dominated out of Wednesday’s World Cup match in opposition to England resulting from a calf damage.

The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who has already scored two centuries within the match, suffered a minor calf pressure in coaching and can now sit out of their penultimate group match.

She can be a doubt to face South Africa three days later, with Australia – already by means of to the knockout levels – hopeful Healy will be capable to return for his or her semi-final on both October 29 or 30.

Beth Mooney will hold wicket in Healy’s absence, with Tahlia McGrath standing in as captain for Australia, whereas Georgia Voll is anticipated to characteristic on the high of the batting order.

“Really unfortunate there for Midge (Healy) with just a slight calf strain, but we know we’ve got some options,” Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke mentioned on Cricket Australia’s web site.

“We’re simply going to maintain assessing her daily, and provides her each alternative to play the subsequent sport in opposition to South Africa, after which simply see how that performs out with the rehab.

“Georgia Voll is here and has filled that (opening) role before, but we’ll sit down and just make sure we’re getting our match-ups right. She’s the obvious choice, but we’ve certainly got some depth there in our batting so there are some opportunities outside of that move as well.”

Healy is presently Australia’s main run scorer after making 294 from her 4 matches, together with 142 in opposition to India earlier than an unbeaten 113 in opposition to Bangladesh, having additionally been the match’s high scorer throughout Australia’s 2022 World Cup success.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain advised Sky Sports activities: “I guess it’s slightly better that it [injury] happens now before a semi-final or a final. She has got eight days to get fit for those knockout games but a calf injury, you don’t want to be risking.

“It’s a blow [for Australia] as a result of it is Alyssa Healy. She is likely one of the nice gamers on the earth sport in the meanwhile and coming in off the again of two magnificent a whole lot.

“England will be pleased, but also realise that whoever comes in will be a seriously good cricketer.”

Can England make the most of Healy-less Australia?

England are additionally already assured of a semi-final spot after 4 wins from their first 5 matches, the opposite deserted resulting from rain, with Charlotte Edwards’ aspect beating co-hosts India on Sunday to safe their passage with two video games to spare.

They beat Australia by 4 wickets in a World Cup warm-up final month, their first assembly since a 16-0 humiliation in a multi-format Ashes sequence earlier this 12 months, with Amy Jones hoping to see England observe on victory over India with one other sturdy efficiency.

“Really looking forward to challenge,” Jones advised Sky Sports activities. “I think their [Australia’s] challenge is the whole squad, it’s the depth that they’ve got. The batters just keep on coming and they’ve got some of the best bowlers in the world.

“We all know it is an important problem but it surely’s a good time to play them after an excellent win the opposite day. Confidence is excessive in our group and hopefully we’re in for a high-scoring sport of cricket.”

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, seeking to see her aspect lengthen their unbeaten begin, added: “The Australia match is one to look forward to, and get into the battle. We are happy to get the qualification, but want to take some confidence into the knock-outs.”

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