Australia might be pressured to blood a wholly new-look opening mixture in subsequent month’s girls’s Ashes Test with Alyssa Healy significantly contemplating dropping down the order to handle workloads.
Healy has opened for Australia within the final three Tests courting again to 2019, taking up the function she has often occupied within the white-ball sport.
But the vice-captain is cautious of the influence retaining wicket could have on her in Test cricket.
Also on Healy’s thoughts is she was dismissed for a pair in her final Test towards England in Canberra, on each events to the now-retired Katherine Brunt.
“I have given it a lot of thought. And it has been up for discussion for a little bit of time,” Healy advised AAP.
“In the last Test match, look I put my hand up and I wanted to do it. It was my decision to open the batting and I thought it would be a great place to bat.
“I most likely underestimated the work I must do within the discipline, not having to do this on a regular basis.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and if the time comes and they want me to open, okay great. “But I’d fortunately slide right down to the center and whack a Dukes ball round.”
Healy is the only player in the men’s or women’s game to wicketkeep and open the batting on a regular basis, with the last being Kamran Akmal for Pakistan in 2007.
Asked if her preference was to now drop down the order and bat at No.6 or No.7 like she did when she debuted in Test cricket, Healy said that was the case.
“It was powerful. I’m not making an attempt to have a cop out, nevertheless it was actually powerful mentally to open and preserve,” Healy mentioned.
“Knowing what the situations might probably be like in England, the Dukes ball swings round a bit bit longer.
“The chances behind the stumps are going to be really important. So doing that job well will be my priority.
“And wherever I’ve to fit in with the bat, that will probably be nice.”
Healy is aware the decision will be a long-term one, with Australia to play three Tests in the next eight months and a new opening combination already looming following Rachael Haynes’ retirement last year.
Beth Mooney is favoured to step up and take Haynes’ spot at Trent Bridge on June 22 when the Test matches open the multi-format Ashes series having filled in at the top previously.
Rising star Phoebe Litchfield would then be an choice to make her Test debut opening after a powerful begin to her worldwide white-ball profession final summer season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
