Alyssa Healy can be match to play in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup defence, with selectors naming her vice-captain of a 15-strong squad and backing her to return this month.
Healy has not performed since injuring her calf final month in India, and has already been dominated out of subsequent week’s one-day collection in opposition to Pakistan.
But officers are actually assured she can be match to characteristic in three T20 matches in opposition to Pakistan from January 24, forward of February’s World Cup in South Africa.
Healy is vice-captain of the 15-player squad introduced for each collection, with Meg Lanning having beforehand confirmed she would return to the highest job on her comeback from private go away.
Georgia Wareham is the most important shock choice, rushed again into the squad after coming back from a 14-month damage lay-off final week.
The Victorian ruptured her ACL in a WBBL sport in October 2021, however was a part of Australia’s T20 World Cup triumphs in 2018 and 2020.
She will be part of Alana King as certainly one of two legspinners within the squad, with finger-spinner Jess Jonassen additionally again from a hamstring damage.
“Seeing Meg and Georgia back in action for Victoria has been exciting,” head selector Shawn Flegler stated.
“Both bring a wealth of experience to the group, which is always crucial during major tournaments.
“Georgia in particular, has had a tough run of injuries, but she’s shown a great deal of resilience and her return is a real boost for the side.
“Alyssa and Jess are expected to be fully fit and firing after minor injuries as well, so we’ve got a full-strength squad.”
Wareham’s return means fellow spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington is omitted, whereas teen Phoebe Litchfield is the batter to make approach for Lanning.
The greatest shock omission is Nicola Carey.
A mainstay of Australia’s squad since 2018, the Hobart Hurricanes allrounder performed within the 2020 T20 World Cup closing however has didn’t lock down a constant position since.
Instead, selectors have opted to maintain former Irish seamer Kim Garth and allrounder Heather Graham within the 15-player group. Both debuted in India final month.
“It’s always tough to narrow a squad down to just 15 players,” Flegler stated.
“Unfortunately, there was no room for Nicola, Phoebe or Amanda-Jade, but they’re still well and truly in our plans and are on standby should they be required.”
Australia play Pakistan in Sydney, Hobart and Canberra earlier than their World Cup opener in opposition to New Zealand in Paarl on February 12.
AUSTRALIA T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD: Meg Lanning (capt), Alyssa Healy, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.
