After a six-month layoff due to injury, Australian captain Alyssa Healy has returned to international cricket. She’s working her way back to full fitness for the ICC Women’s World Cup later this year.
Healy played for Australia A in a T20 against India A in Queensland. The veteran wicket-keeper batter showed her class, scoring 27 off 18 in a 13-run win, according to the ICC.
This was Healy’s first game since the Test against England at the MCG in late February. The 35-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury as she builds up for this year’s 50-over World Cup which starts on September 30 in India and Sri Lanka.
It wasn’t a perfect game for Australia A. After Healy was out, the middle order struggled to score on a slow pitch. Anika Learoyd was the only batter who played well, scoring 50 not out from 44 to guide Australia A to 137/6.
India A also struggled to bat. Star opener Shafali Verma scored only 3, but Raghvi Bist hit 33 off 20 to keep India A in the game. Needing 17 runs in the last over, India A were held back by Australia’s Kim Garth who conceded only 3. Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff and Sianna Ginger each took two wickets to win the game.
Healy will continue her injury recovery by only batting in the remaining two T20s against India A. She’ll take over the wicket-keeping duties for the ODI part of the series in Brisbane later this month.
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If she recovers well, Healy will be a key player for Australia in their bid to win their 8th 50-over World Cup later this year. For now, the experienced captain is taking it one step at a time and getting more time on the field for Australia A.
Australia A and India A play again on August 9 (Saturday) at the same venue. After the third T20 on August 10 (Sunday), the two teams will play a three-match 50-over series and an unofficial Test starting August 12 (Tuesday).This series against India A is a good chance for Healy to get her form and fitness back for the World Cup. She’s a big player for Australia and fans want to see her at her best. Her experience and leadership is key to the team. The games ahead will be good prep for what’s to come. The team and fans hope she recovers well and plays well in the World Cup.
