Alyssa Healy’s absence from the semi-final could hand India a huge edge in their World Cup dream. The Australian captain hurt her calf during training and has missed two matches already this tournament. India faces Australia in the semi-final knowing their biggest threat might not play at all.
What Happened to Alyssa Healy?
Healy strained her calf muscle during a practice session before Australia’s recent group stage matches. The injury looked bad enough to keep her out of two games Australia played. Head coach Shelley Nitschke keeps saying they’re monitoring Healy’s recovery daily hoping for good news.
“Obviously she wasn’t quite up to it tonight, but she’ll continue to be assessed. We’re really hopeful for the semi, but there are still a few days to play out before that. We’re hopeful again, and she’ll just continue to be assessed the closer we get to the game,” Nitschke said.
Alyssa Healy’s absence from the semi-final would crush Australia’s batting plans, which they had prepared for months. She smashed a century against Bangladesh earlier in this World Cup showing her dangerous form. Against India in the group stage Healy scored another hundred leading Australia to victory.
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Team doctors are running tests every day checking if Healy can play without risking worse damage.
How Does This Help India’s Chances?
Australia topped the group stage points table with six wins and one abandoned match. They look unbeatable with Healy opening the batting and keeping wickets behind the stumps. Alyssa Healy’s absence from the semi-final changes everything for India who struggled against her badly before.
India lost to Australia in the group stage mostly because Healy batted them out. Removing her from the equation makes Australia’s batting lineup look way less scary for bowlers. Indian spinners could exploit the situation if Healy sits out watching from the sidelines helplessly.
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Other Injury Concerns in Women’s World Cup
England’s Sophie Ecclestone might also miss her next match with a shoulder injury. She hurt herself during England’s game against New Zealand which looked painful on replays shown. Injuries are piling up as the tournament reaches its business end with pressure mounting daily.
Alyssa Healy’s absence from the semi-final gives India real hope of reaching the World Cup final. Australia without Healy isn’t the same team that conquered everyone throughout this contest.
