Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke is unsure of Alyssa Healy’s participation in the semi-final and said a decision on her availability will be taken closer to the game against India, at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, on Thursday.
Since picking up an injury during training, Healy has missed back-to-back games against England and South Africa, the other two semi-finalists. The wicketkeeper-batter took part in training on the eve of the game against South Africa but was unable to prove her fitness.
“Obviously she wasn’t quite up to it tonight (for the South Africa clash), but she’ll continue to be assessed. We’re really hopeful for the semi, but there are still a few days to play out before that. We’re hopeful again, and she’ll just continue to be assessed the closer we get to the game,” Nitschke said during the press conference after the SA game.
Even without Healy, the Australian team managed to win their last two games. While the England clash was a tight one, the South Africa match was a one-woman show by Alana King.
In Healy’s absence, Georgia Voll has been opening the batting with Phoebe Litchfield, with Tahlia McGrath leading the team. Voll failed against England but struck an unbeaten 38 in the 98-run chase in Indore.
There are still three days left before the semi-final clash, and Australia will be sweating on Healy’s fitness. When Australia last met India in the competition, Healy scored a century and followed it up with another ton against Bangladesh. Both hundreds came in Vizag.
Historically, Australia have dominated the rivalry — both overall and in the World Cup. The defending champions have met India three times in Women’s World Cup knockout games, winning twice and losing once.
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