Australia's Squad for India series announced, Alyssa Healy ruled out

Following their semi-final defeat to South Africa in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup this October, Australia will regroup in December for six One-Day Internationals (ODIs). They will first host India for three ODIs before traveling to New Zealand for an away series, as they focus on building momentum for next year’s 50-over World Cup in India.

Australia will be without regular captain Alyssa Healy for at least the three ODIs against India, as she recovers from a knee injury that recently ruled her out of the ongoing 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Notably, Healy featured in only a handful of WBBL games this year, managing a foot injury that sidelined her during the latter stages of the T20 World Cup.

In Healy’s absence, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath will lead the team against India, with Ashleigh Gardner stepping in as her deputy and Beth Mooney set to feature as the keeper-batter. Meanwhile, Georgia Voll has earned a call-up to fill the temporarily vacant opening spot, a deserved reward for her standout performances in the ongoing WBBL season.

The squad sees only two changes from their last ODI series against Bangladesh in March with Tayla Vlaeminck sidelined due to injury and Grace Harris omitted. Fit-again Darcie Brown makes her return to the ODI squad after a last-minute injury ruled her out of the Bangladesh tour. Notably, Brown missed the Adelaide Strikers’ final three WBBL matches due to a hip muscle strain but has since resumed training and is available for selection.

Australia Women’s Squad for 3 ODIs against India:

Tahlia McGrath (C), Ashleigh Gardner (VC), Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

21-year-old Georgia Voll has been in outstanding form lately, showcasing her all-round abilities across formats. She amassed 459 runs at an average of 41.72, alongside seven wickets, during the 2023-24 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia’s premier 50-over domestic competition. Continuing her strong run, Voll has scored 201 runs and picked up two wickets from four WNCL outings this season. In the ongoing WBBL 10, she further impressed with two scores in the 90s, contributing to her tally of 310 runs.

Long on the selectors’ radar, Voll has also excelled in the longest format, notably scoring an unbeaten 200 in the inaugural Green v Gold three-day red-ball game earlier this year. Despite her form, she is set to feature only in the home ODIs against India, as Alyssa Healy is expected to return for the away series against New Zealand. Meanwhile, there is still no place in the squad for the fit and in-form Jess Jonassen, who last represented Australia in an ODI in July 2023 and a Test in December 2023.

Australia Women’s Squad for 3 ODIs against New Zealand:

Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham