Alyssa Healy has been selected as a specialist batter for the pink-ball Women’s Ashes Test, set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on January 30. Cricket Australia confirmed the decision while announcing the 13-member squad for the historic day-night match.
Healy, who missed the first two T20Is against England Women due to a stress reaction in her foot, remains a doubt for the final T20I.
However, selectors are optimistic about her availability for the Test match. In her absence, Beth Mooney is expected to handle wicketkeeping duties during the red-ball game at the MCG.
Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance for Women’s Cricket and National Selector, Shawn Flegler, provided an update on Healy’s status and the squad’s composition.
“Alyssa has been named in the squad as a batter only, and we’ll give her as much time as possible to prove her fitness. Ash (Gardner) will continue to be assessed daily, and her availability for the third T20I is uncertain, but she remains on track for the Test match,” Flegler stated.
Flegler also expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to perform in the high-stakes Test. “It’s a reasonably experienced squad, having played Tests against India and South Africa in recent years, and we believe it’s a group capable of beating England over four days. A pink-ball Test at the MCG is a monumental occasion, and the team will be aiming to secure the four points on offer,” he added.
Australia Women’s Squad for the D/N Test: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Georgia Wareham, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt