Alyssa Healy will lead Australia as they embark on their World Cup defense, with the wicketkeeper-batter stepping into her third global campaign at the pinnacle of One-Day cricket. Few players embody the occasion better than Healy—her 2022 performance in New Zealand still etched in memory. She not only topped the tournament charts with 509 runs but also delivered an unforgettable 170 in the final against England, a knock that cemented her status among the game’s greats.
The build-up to this edition brought its own challenges. A foot injury had threatened to disrupt Healy’s preparations, but her return has been emphatic. Against India A, she announced her readiness with a dazzling 137 not out from just 85 balls, reminding everyone of the destructive flair that defines her game.
Reflecting on the importance of that outing, Healy admitted how significant it was to string together match practice after her layoff, “For me personally, having the opportunity to play that ‘A’ series at home was huge, getting through six games of cricket in a short space of time was a big tick for me after coming back from injury.”
Australia have kept faith in the backbone of their successful 2022 squad, with ten players from that champion group earning selection again. Familiar names—Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, Megan Schutt, and Tahlia McGrath—will once more shoulder responsibility on the big stage.
Complementing them is a wave of first-time World Cup aspirants. Georgia Voll, Kim Garth, and Phoebe Litchfield bring fresh batting options, while spinners Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham strengthen a bowling unit tailored for conditions expected in India and Sri Lanka.
Australia’s selectors have consciously leaned into spin depth. Alana King adds her guile, Wareham returns with leg-spin variety, while Molineux, herself back from knee surgery, rounds out the trio. Her previous record—13 ODIs, 23 wickets, and the best of 4/14—makes her a potent option, though her participation in the immediate India ODI series may be limited as her recovery is monitored.
The team is excited to have her back in the mix, “We’re especially thrilled to have Sophie Molineux back in the squad having overcome knee surgery earlier this year. She’s had a rough run with injuries, so it’ll be great to see her back in the green and gold throughout the World Cup.”
Australia’s road to the tournament has been anything but smooth sailing. Their three-match ODI series against India offered lessons in both resilience and dominance.
In the opener on September 14, Phoebe Litchfield anchored a successful chase of 282 with a polished 88 off 80 balls. But the second ODI swung sharply the other way, with Australia bowled out for 190 and suffering their heaviest defeat in ODI history—a 102-run margin. They rebounded in style in the third, amassing 412 (equalling their joint-highest total), before India’s spirited reply fell just 43 runs short.
For the players, this challenging run has been vital preparation. Healy herself highlighted the benefit of testing themselves in subcontinental conditions ahead of the main event, “The three ODIs against India in the lead-up will give us the chance to acclimatise and put the finishing touches on our preparation.”
Their final tune-up will come in a warm-up clash against England on September 27, a fitting rehearsal before the high stakes of World Cup cricket begins.
(Quotes sourced from the ICC)
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