Australia women’s team captain Alyssa Healy is doubtful to play in the semi-finals against Harmanpreet Kaur’s team in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Head coach Shelley Nitschke said she was optimistic about Healy’s participation and added that a final decision would be made closer to the game against India.
Healy suffered a calf strain during training following the team’s win over Bangladesh. The injury caused him to miss two league stage matches against England and South Africa. The Australia captain scored a brilliant century against Bangladesh at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on 16 October.
We’re hopeful again – Shelley Nitschke on Alyssa Healey’s involvement
Shelley Nitschke gave an update on captain Alyssa Healy’s fitness during the press conference after the win over South Africa. Nitschke said Alyssa Healy is still being evaluated and the team is hopeful she will make a timely recovery.
Nitschke said, “Obviously she wasn’t ready tonight, but she will continue to be evaluated. We’re really hopeful for the semifinals, but there’s still a few days to play before that. We’re hopeful again, and she’ll continue to be evaluated as we get closer to the game.”
Healy not playing in the semi-finals will be a blow for Australia. The skipper played a key role in the group-stage clash against India, scoring 142 runs off 107 balls with the help of 21 fours and three sixes, helping the team chase down the record target of 331 runs in Vizag.
Australia’s performance under Alyssa Healy so far in the 2025 Women’s World Cup
The Australian women’s team, captained by Alyssa Healy, has been dominant in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. They are unbeaten and are on top of the points table. Out of seven matches, they won six, while one match was abandoned due to rain.
They started with an 89-run win over New Zealand, followed by a rain-affected clash against Sri Lanka. After this, Australia defeated Pakistan by 107 runs and defeated India by three wickets. The team won against Bangladesh by ten wickets and against England by six wickets.
Australia is the defending champion in the tournament, having won the previous edition in 2022. They will be hoping to defend their title in the ongoing tournament.
England Women could be without Sophie Ecclestone due to shoulder injury
England Women may face a blow as their left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone may miss the upcoming match due to a shoulder injury. She landed awkwardly on her left shoulder during the match against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam.
“After landing awkwardly on the field on her left shoulder in the first over, Sophie Ecclestone felt more discomfort in her left shoulder while bowling and is now undergoing treatment. As a precaution, she will not return to the field during England’s bowling innings,” England Cricket said in an official update during the first innings of the clash.
England are set to take on South Africa Women in the first semi-final of the tournament at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 29. The winner of the match will secure a place in the final to be held in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
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