Early in the year, after leading Australia to a record 16-0 Women’s Ashes win, skipper Alyssa Healy was out of action due to the stress injury in her right foot. The injury ruled her out of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Australia’s three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Further, it also raised doubts regarding her participation in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which is to be held in India. Healy has had challenges with fitness of late, having missed the semi-final of last year’s T20 World Cup due to a foot injury and an early end to her WBBL season because of a knee problem.
However, in some welcome news, a date has been marked for her return to cricket. She is set to be named in the Australia A squad, which is to face India A in Queensland in August 2025.
Healy has often talked about retirement from cricket five or six times before deciding to continue, and earlier this year, she revealed what her ideal farewell would look like. She had previously suggested that this year’s ODI World Cup could be her final appearance on the international stage.
However, she revealed the injury break has pushed back her retirement plans. “It’s probably shifted a little bit. It’s made me realise that I still want to do a little bit more than maybe what I thought,” Healy told AAP. While personal reasons are important, she definitely wants to play at home this summer. She hopes to bring the World Cup home and is also eager to play against India to be held in 2026, which will include a one-off Test match.
“So, it’s just a constant reassess. But at the moment I definitely want to play a home summer. I want to bring the World Cup home, but also to play against India (in February-March).”
Australia is looking to win back-to-back in the ODI World Cups in almost 40 overs. The skipper who took over from Meg Lanning says, “It definitely was a big focus of mine to get the group to a place to compete at this World Cup and win the trophy. It’s not so much about the captaincy (driving me) or ticking one more box.
“It’s just that I want to win a World Cup for Australia, and no one has gone back-to-back, which is a real motivator.”
Healy has not kept wicket in a match since January but is confident that the Australia A matches, followed by the ODI series in India, will have her match-fit for up to nine World Cup games.
(Quotes from AAP)
