Australian captain Alyssa Healy has provided hopeful indications that she might be able to play the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 semifinal against India, which is happening in two days, after she underwent a demanding fitness test and completed a training session on Tuesday. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was absent from the matches against England and South Africa in the league because of a calf injury. The vice-captain of the seven-time champions, Tahlia McGrath, took over the leadership role.
Alyssa Healy trains hard, looks set for the semifinal
Healy has been in exceptional form during the tournament, including back-to-back centuries against India and Bangladesh, helping Australia top the points table with an unbeaten record in the league stage. According to an ICC injury update, “In Mumbai, Healy gave positive indications that her recovery was progressing well, getting through a fitness test at the start of the session. She then participated in wicket-keeping drills before undertaking a full net session, the latter half of which she was seen going big against the net bowlers.”
Ahead of the match against South Africa at Indore, Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke had expressed hope that Healy would regain full fitness for the semifinal. “She wasn't quite up to it for the match against South Africa, but she'll continue to be assessed. We're really hopeful for the semifinal, but still a few days to play out before that,” Nitschke said.
The match in which Healy performed the best at the tournament was definitely the game against India. She blasted 142 runs off which 21 were boundaries and 3 were sixes, thereby powering Australia to an exciting three-wicket victory in a 300-plus chase. Without a doubt, her being there will lift the spirits of the champions of the last tournament when they will be getting ready for the intense semifinal match.
(With PTI Inputs)
