In sport, at one instance, you’re at your desired peak performance —unstoppable, untouchable by competitors. Next, you’re on the ground, clutching a part of the body that no longer responds. Injuries aren’t just about physical pains; they break the hunger and deprive the athlete the time that can never be won back.
One such situation is about Australia’s skipper Alyssa Healy who has been injured off-late for an extended duration and is unable to cope up with the lay-off period which keeps her away from the majority of her duties as a cricketer who also provides wicketkeeping services.
After struggling with knee and foot issues since the middle of last year, Healy has been sidelined for the New-Zealand’s T20I series as she works towards complete recovery ahead of October’s ODI World Cup later this year in India.
The 34-year-old endured a ruptured plantar fascia in her foot during the ICC T20 World Cup last October, sidelining her from Australia’s final group-stage match and the semi-final against eventual runners-up South Africa. Her injury woes deepened in the Women’s Big Bash League when an early knee issue forced her to miss the rest of the season, along with the ODI series against India.
As a result, she had to withdraw from the ongoing Women’s Premier League. However, a potential return looms on the horizon, with the Women’s Hundred offering a chance for her comeback before Australia’s ODI tour of India in September, which leads directly into the World Cup.
Healy received medical clearance to return to wicketkeeping at the beginning of the Ashes but had to sit out of the three T20 matches midway through the series when her foot troubles resurfaced.
During the Test, she took the field solely as a batter as Australia secured a series whitewash. Following this, she decided to forgo the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she captained the UP Warriorz in the first two seasons.
“Alyssa is unavailable for this series due to the foot injury she sustained during the Ashes,” Flegler said. “She’s working diligently on her rehab with the aim to have her fit for the one-day World Cup later in the year.”
In the absence of the permanent skipper, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath will be shouldering the captain’s responsibility ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand.
In Healy’s absence, Australia has typically relied on Beth Mooney as the wicketkeeper, as her consistent presence in the squad allows for minimal disruptions in the starting XI. However, the selectors have chosen to include Nicole Faltum in the 14-member squad traveling to New Zealand. The 25-year-old from Victoria has long been viewed as a promising talent next in line for the role.
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