Alyssa Healy Ruled Out of Women’s Ashes T20I Opener Due to Foot Injury

After a dominant ODI series win in the ongoing Women’s Ashes, the Australian Women’s team has faced a major setback. Captain Alyssa Healy will miss the opening match of the three-match T20I series due to a foot injury.

Having swept the England Women’s team in the ODI series, Australia was gearing up to face the visitors in the first T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, Healy’s injury has left the team with a significant gap.

Healy reported persistent foot soreness after the final ODI on Friday, a recurring issue from an injury she first sustained during the T20 World Cup in October. As a result, she will miss the opening T20I and remains doubtful for the remaining matches in the series. Cricket Australia confirmed that their medical team is consulting specialists to devise a treatment plan, and her availability for the rest of the series will depend on further assessments.

This injury marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the Australian star. Healy missed the Women’s T20 World Cup’s final group-stage match last year due to a similar issue, and a knee injury cut short her WBBL return, which also kept her out of the recent ODI series against India.

With Healy sidelined, vice-captain Tahila McGrath will step in as captain for the first T20I. The team is also left to consider replacements for Healy, especially behind the stumps. Beth Mooney is a strong contender for the role, and Georgia Voll or Grace Harris could fill in the top order. Australia will play the first T20I against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 20.