Alyssa Healy Ruled Out Of World Cup Clash Against England As Australia Face Injury Blow

Australia’s Women’s World Cup campaign has taken an unexpected hit as captain Alyssa Healy has been ruled out of the blockbuster clash against England on Wednesday after sustaining a calf injury during training.

Healy picked up the minor strain on Saturday, forcing her to miss one of the most anticipated group-stage encounters of the tournament. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who has been in sensational form, faces a race against time to return before the semi-finals.

So far, Healy has been the standout performer of the tournament, amassing 294 runs in just four innings, including a stunning 142 against India and an unbeaten 113 against Bangladesh, making her the leading run-scorer at the event.

In her absence, Beth Mooney will take up wicketkeeping duties, while Tahlia McGrath assumes the captaincy. Rising star Georgia Voll is expected to open the batting, stepping into Healy’s role at the top of the order.

Australia currently sit top of the standings with four wins from five matches, narrowly ahead of England on net run rate. However, South Africa could leapfrog both teams if they win their fixture against Pakistan on Tuesday.

The defending champions, who defeated England in the 2022 World Cup final, are chasing a record-extending eighth title. But Healy’s absence could test their famed squad depth as they head into the business end of the tournament.

Healy’s injury adds to a frustrating pattern for the star batter, who has struggled with fitness over the past few years. From plantar fascia issues that ruled her out of the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final to knee and foot problems that limited her WBBL appearances, Healy’s resilience continues to be tested.

Despite the setback, Healy remains hopeful of recovering in time for the semi-finals, scheduled for October 29 and 30 in Guwahati, Colombo, and Mumbai.

Analysis – By Ffion Wynne (BBC Sport, Indore)

The upcoming Australia vs England showdown was already shaping up to be a thrilling encounter — a rematch of the 2022 final and a test of England’s revival under Charlotte Edwards.

Now, with Healy sidelined, Australia lose not just their captain but also their emotional anchor and match-winner. Her explosive 170 in the last World Cup final remains etched in memory, and her absence gives England a rare psychological edge.

Still, Australia boast the deepest squad in women’s cricket, and players like McGrath and Mooney have the experience and composure to step up. For England, though, this is a golden opportunity to avenge their Ashes struggles and prove they can go toe-to-toe with the world champions.

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