Healy confirms major change to her role

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has confirmed she won’t keep in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, with the opener to play as a specialist batter as she continues to recover from the knee injury that ended her WBBL season.

Healy missed the recent 3-0 series win over India where Georgia Voll shone on her international debut with a century in the second ODI in Brisbane.

Voll starred at the top of the order alongside Phoebe Litchfield but did leave the field in the third match with a knee injury, although early reports suggest she is in no doubt for the first game in New Zealand on December 19.

As for Healy, she’s on track to return for the first ODI, but she’ll hand the wicketkeeping gloves to Beth Mooney given she’s unable to bend down for 50 overs due to the left knee injury that ended her season with the Sixers.

“I think ‘Moons’ probably spilled the beans and suggested I wouldn’t be keeping, so that secret has gone,” she told the Willow Talk Podcast.

“I’m keen to play and I’ll be doing everything to get on the field, (but) I won’t be keeping. That’s where my knee’s at and what the problem is with the knee is getting down into those positions.

“I’m doing everything I can to get on the park as a batter and an excellent first slipper.

“I’m terrified by the prospect because I overrate my fielding. I think I’m really good, but I’m not. I’m not Beth Mooney, and I know that, so I’ve just got to put myself in not hotspots.

“We’ll keep progressing and hopefully I can play a part because there’s not a lot of cricket between now and the Ashes, so If I can get a hit out there, that’d be great.”

Healy didn’t keep in her final game for Sydney against the Heat but did take two good catches in the field, with the veteran hoping to be fully fit in time for the Ashes that start next month in Sydney.

It’s been a frustrating few months for Healy, who suffered a tournament-ending foot injury at the T20 World Cup and had to watch on as the Aussies were bundled out in the semi-final.

The 34-year-old was asked on the podcast if it was a concern to be picking up these injuries at this stage of her career.

“I think there’s an element of stress to it, but at the same time I’m really blessed that I can play multiple roles for the side,” she said.

“I’m really lucky in that regard that if I can play a role, it might be with the bat first and then we manage it from there.

“We’ve also got incredible depth within our squad, so if something does go wrong and something blows up again and I need an extra day off, we’ve got the coverage there.

“The stress side of it is probably removed in that regard, but I want to be a part of everything. Later in my career, I want to still be playing as much cricket as I can. Unfortunately, my body is saying ‘no’.”