Alyssa Healy. (Source – ICC)
Alyssa Healy sustained a calf injury during the Group A fixture between Australia and Pakistan while running between the wickets. She missed the subsequent game against India and is racing against time to get fit for the semi-final clash against South Africa on October 17 in Dubai.
Healy arrived on crutches to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium for the clash against India last week. She hasn’t been training with the team since she suffered the freak injury and this makes her participation in the semi-finals doubtful. Against India, Tahlia McGrath took charge and led the defending champions to a nine-run win.
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One of the most experienced players in the Australian side, Ellyse Perry, said that she always supports Healy on the field and it was no different when McGrath took charge. The all-rounder also provided an update on Healy’s injury status, asserting that the medical team is doing its best to get the wicketkeeper-batter ready in time for the knockouts.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be among the group for a period of time now, and I think across the group, we’ve got a broad level of experienced players and leaders. Providing that support to whether it’s Midge (Healy) or Tahlia at different points during matches is something I’ve always done, along with lots of other players. It probably looked a little bit different with not having Midge on the field the other night, but in terms of the messaging and how we spoke, it was all the same,” Perry told the media ahead of the semi-final clash (via Fox Sports).
“The medical staff and the team are going to give her every opportunity and possibility to play tomorrow night, but I don’t think anything’s changed in that respect. We’ll just have to see in the next 24 hours,” she added.
Can South Africa avenge 2023 World Cup final defeat?
South Africa will have a chance to exact revenge on Australia as they face the six-time champions in the semi-finals. The Proteas suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Women in Yellow in the summit clash of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in front of their home fans in Cape Town.
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The two teams have faced each other on 10 occasions and Australia have won on nine occassions. They are undefeated in the tournament and will want to sail into the finals with a win against Laura Wolvaardt’s side. However, if South Africa play to their potential, they can give Australia a run for their money.