Alyssa Healy is in a race against the clock to recover from a foot injury before next week’s pink-ball Ashes Test at the MCG, with Australia unveiling its 13-player squad for the historic fixture.
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The wicketkeeper, who played the 2023 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge with two broken fingers, has been ruled out of the T20 series against England due to a plantar fascia issue and replaced in the squad by all-rounder Heather Graham.
Healy was named as a specialist batter in Australia’s squad for the Ashes Test, which was revealed on Thursday evening, with teammate Beth Mooney expected to don the gloves in her absence.
“I think my foot might have to be physically sawed off before I’m not out there,” Healy told Channel 7 on Thursday.
“I’m in a really fortunate position to be able to give it to the last minute to prove my fitness, I’ll be doing everything I can to be out there.
“We’ve just tried to get off it as much as possible to give it time to settle. It’s just whether I can get through four days of cricket on my foot. It’s going to take a hell of a lot to keep me away.”
Superstar all-rounder Ash Gardner also features in the Test squad despite the first two T20s against England with a “low grade calf strain”.
If Healy was ruled out of the day-night contest, rising star Georgia Voll would be in line to make her Test debut at the MCG, while vice-captain Tahlia McGrath would lead the side.
“Alyssa has been named in the squad as a batter only and we’ll give her as much time as we can to prove her fitness ahead of the match,” national selector Shawn Flegler said in a statement.
“Ash will continue to be assessed daily, and her availability for the 3rd T20 remains uncertain. At this stage she is on track to be available for the Test match.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mooney confessed she has “not heaps” of experience keeping in long-format cricket.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk after if I have to keep (in the Test match),” Mooney laughed.
“We’ll wait and see what the prognosis is with Alyssa first and foremost and go from there. Obviously when she’s been out, I’ve been able to step into that role and got some good feedback along the way.
“I’m just happy to do what’s required of the team. If we get to the Test and that’s the case, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Spinner Jess Jonassen and seamer Lauren Cheatle missed selection for the Ashes Test, while all-rounder Sophie Molineux and seamer Tayla Vlaeminck were unavailable due to injury.
“It’s a reasonably experienced squad (that) have played Tests against India and South Africa in the last couple of years and one we think can beat England over the course of four days,” Flegler continued.
“There’s no bigger occasion than a pink-ball Test at the MCG and there’s no doubt the team will be looking to claim the four points up for grabs.”
The women’s Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at the MCG on Thursday, January 30.
Australian squad for Ashes Test
Alyssa Healy – captain
Darcie Brown
Ashleigh Gardner
Kim Garth
Alana King
Phoebe Litchfield
Tahlia McGrath
Beth Mooney
Ellyse Perry
Megan Schutt
Annabel Sutherland
Georgia Voll
Georgia Wareham
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