Australian captain to miss World Cup grudge match with England through injury

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Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy will miss the World Cup game against bitter rivals England on Wednesday night due to a calf injury.

Healy, who has made centuries in each of the past two games of the tournament against India and Bangladesh, strained her calf at training on Saturday and it has not recovered sufficiently for her to be considered for the England game.

Deputy Tahlia McGrath will captain in Healy’s absence, while the selectors will also need to reconsider the batting order.

Australian captain Alysaa Healy is in imposing form with the bat.

Beth Mooney is the likely substitute for Healy with the wicket-keeping gloves.

Australia, England and South Africa have already qualified for the tournament semi-finals, with hosts India fighting to avoid a major embarrassment by securing the final spot.

The Australians wiped the floor with England during the Ashes series played earlier this year, forcing a change of coach and numerous selection shuffles.

But Healy’s opening partner Phoebe Litchfield has insisted the world’s No.1 side is preparing to face rejuvenated England, particularly after their defeat of India, led by a century from skipper Heather Knight.

“We know England are top two, three in the world, and we’ve played them a lot quite recently,” Litchfield said after the Bangladesh game.

“They offer so much with the bat and the ball that you can’t take them lightly at all … and we know that even though we came off the Ashes 16-nil, we know that they’ll come pretty hard, so we’re pretty excited for that.”

“Indore, when we played there last, was a really good wicket, so I can imagine it’ll be a high run-scoring contest.

“So it’s just like playing the first ODI back in North Sydney [start of the Ashes]. We’ve got to come with open eyes, open minds, and hopefully have a good day out there.”

Australia and England are the last two unbeaten teams remaining in the World Cup.

Twenty-two-year-old back-up opener Georgia Voll is the most likely player to slot into Healy’s spot at the top of the order.