Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign has been derailed by injuries to captain Alyssa Healy and bowler Tayla Vlaeminck during the team’s comprehensive victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
The reigning champions defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in a one-sided contest at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday morning AEST, chasing the modest 83-run target with 54 balls to spare.
Spinner Ash Gardner, later named player of the match, claimed four wickets to help roll Pakistan for 82 in 19.5 overs, with fellow all-rounders Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham each snaring two scalps.
Australia only needed 11 overs to reel in the target, but the run chase was marred by a foot injury to Healy, who retired hurt on 37.
In the tenth over of Australia’s innings, with 14 runs required for victory, the 34-year-old limped off the field after pulling up sore while running between the wickets. Cricket Australia later confirmed Healy had sustained an acute right foot injury.
“Once we have more information based on her assessment and scans tomorrow, her availability for the remainder of the tournament will be clearer,” CA said in a statement.
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Earlier, Vlaeminck dislocated her right shoulder while attempting to prevent a boundary in the first over of the match. The 25-year-old, playing her first T20 World Cup match in six years, left the field clutching at her arm, taking no further part in the contest.
“Her shoulder is now relocated and the extent of the injury will be known following further assessment over the coming days,” CA said.
Vlaeminck, who has battled injury throughout her career, missed Australia’s three previous World Cup campaigns due to a foot stress fracture. The Victorian bowler was also sidelined for the start of the 2023/24 season after dislocating her shoulder in England last year.
Pending the severity of Vlaeminck’s injury, her absence would open the door for South Australian quick Darcie Brown to return to the starting XI.
However, replacing Healy is more complex. If she were unavailable for the remainder of the tournament, Australia would not only lose a captain, but also a wicketkeeper and an opening batter.
Tahlia McGrath, who has led Australia once in the T20 format, is the team’s designated vice-captain, while Beth Mooney can don the gloves in Healy’s absence if required.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat superstar Grace Harris looms as the most likely candidate to open the batting alongside Mooney if a replacement is needed.
“There’s a lot of process at the moment,” McGrath told BBC Sounds after the match.
“I’m heartbroken for those two girls at the moment.”
Australia, undefeated in the tournament after three matches, will next face India at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, with the first ball scheduled for 1am AEDT. Victory over the Indians, or even a narrow loss, would be enough for the defending champions to qualify for the semi-finals.
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