Australia captain Alyssa Healy nears full fitness ahead of ‘way more exciting’ Ashes
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In a competition for attention between Australia’s first cricketing couple, Alyssa Healy has implored fans to watch the historic women’s Ashes Test at the MCG rather than her husband’s men’s Test in Sri Lanka. This summer’s women’s Ashes starts with ODI and T20 matches next month, and ends with the pink-ball battle in Melbourne, just as the men’s team travels to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series.
Healy – who is married to Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc – said cricket fans are spoiled for choice but the historic day-night Test at the MCG was a rare opportunity. “Come and watch us, it’s way more exciting,” Healy said outside the ground for the announcement of the women’s white ball squad. “Playing a Test series will be great for the boys, but [this is] a day-night Test match at the MCG.”.
The 13-player squad includes veterans Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner and vice-captain Tahlia McGrath alongside emerging stars Annabel Sutherland, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll. Powerful ball-striker Grace Harris will join the team for the three T20 matches which follow the three-match ODI component.
Healy plans to play wicketkeeper in the series despite a troublesome knee, while all-rounder Sophie Molineux is unavailable due to surgery on her own knee. The captain said naming the white-ball team now allows the players to prioritise those matches, while providing flexibility for the Test which – under the points system used in the series – could be decisive.
