Women’s Ashes: Alyssa Healy set to play, Beth Mooney named as wicket-keeper, for MCG Test

Australian selectors have made a massive call on Alyssa Healy’s availability for the Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG. See the verdict, and the full squad, here.

Alyssa Healy has been given a tentative green light to captain Australia in next week’s MCG Ashes Test, but will hand wicketkeeping duties to Beth Mooney.

Having deferred naming its Test squad for three days after Healy’s foot injury flared up, Cricket Australia on Thursday night unveiled its 13-woman squad for pink-ball clash with England that begins next Thursday in Melbourne.

Though not yet locked in, selectors are set to give Healy every chance to play in the match.

But the plantar fascia issue that has disrupted her involvement in the Twenty20 leg of the multi-format series means Healy will play as a specialist batter should she line up in the day-night fixture at the ‘G.

Recent white-ball debutant Georgia Voll would almost certainly receive a baggy green should Healy not play after the Queenslander was named in the Test squad.

Beth Mooney acknowledges her half century during game one of the Women's Ashes T20 clash with England. Picture: Getty Images

Mooney, who has a wealth of ‘keeping experience but ordinarily plays as a batter only for Australia, will don the gloves, with selectors opting against drafting in the uncapped Nicole Faltum or Georgia Redmayne.

“We’re pleased with the form of the 13 players that have taken part in the series to date and feel it’s a squad that offers a variety of options when it comes to selecting the makeup of the Test side,” selector Shawn Flegler said.

“Alyssa has been named in the squad as a batter only and we’ll give her as much time as we can to prove her fitness ahead of the match.

Alyssa Healy pictured signing autographs for fans at Bellerive Oval. Picture: Getty Images

“Ash will continue to be assessed daily, and her availability for the 3rd T20 remains uncertain. At this stage she is on track to be available for the Test match.

“It’s a reasonably experienced squad have played Tests against India and South Africa in the last couple of years and one we think can beat England over the course of four days.

“There’s no bigger occasion than a pink-ball Test at the MCG and there’s no doubt the team will be looking to claim the four points up for grabs.”

Australia retained the Ashes by beating England in the first T20 international at the SCG on Monday night.

Originally published as Women’s Ashes: Alyssa Healy set to play, Beth Mooney named as wicket-keeper, for MCG Test