Alyssa Healy’s hopes of playing in Australia’s upcoming ODI series against India are hanging in the balance after she was ruled out of the remainder of the WBBL with a knee injury.
The Sydney Sixers captain sustained the injury to her left knee during the team’s last-start loss to the Brisbane Heat. The injury is not believed to be serious enough to rule her out of the multi-format Ashes, which begin on January 12, but it does cast doubt on her availability for the three-match ODI series against India, which starts just four days after the WBBL final.
Healy has been battling injuries throughout the summer, having entered the WBBL with a foot injury that ended her T20 World Cup campaign early. She also missed the Sixers’ last match due to body management.
The injury is a significant blow to the Sixers, who are now facing the prospect of needing to win their last three matches to make the WBBL finals. If Healy does miss the international matches, Tahlia McGrath would be expected to deputise as captain again after doing so in the World Cup.
Healy’s injury highlights the challenges faced by female athletes in managing their workload during a busy summer schedule. The Australian captain has been open about the need to manage her pain and function throughout the summer, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to play in all of the upcoming matches.
