Women’s T20 World Cup: Aussies not worried about sudden loss of form from Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry
Australian gun batter Alyssa Healy endured a wretched run of low scores during Australia’s tri-series victory, but skipper Meg Lanning remains certain she will fire when the T20 World Cup starts next week.
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Aussie captain Meg Lanning has backed out-of-form opener Alyssa Healy to bounce back in a big way during the women’s Twenty20 World Cup.
The dashing keeper-batter had a nightmare tri-series, making 15 runs at three across five games against England and India.
But Lanning is not concerned by Healy’s shocking run, putting faith in the 29-year-old’s return to form, and other teammates to pick up the slack.
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“It hasn’t been ideal for ‘Midge’ (Healy), but I along with the rest of the team are half-expecting her to come out and whack it around in the first World Cup game,” Lanning said.
“I’m sure every bowler in the world is nervous about bowling to her because I’m sure she’s definitely due.
“I’ve got full confidence she’ll be able to play a really big role for us in the World Cup, and if it’s not her day, then it’s going to be someone else’s.
“You can’t rely on one or two players to get the job done, there’s too many world-class sides out there.”
Such can be the fickle nature of Twenty20 cricket, Healy’s last innings for Australia before the dramatic slump was a record-breaking unbeaten 148 against Sri Lanka in October.
But Healy was not the only star to be below her best during the tri-series, which Australia wrapped up by 11 runs against India on Wednesday.
Ellyse Perry had a remarkable game with bat and ball against England in Canberra, but the three-time Belinda Clark Award winner failed to fire during other matches.
In positives signs for Lanning’s team, Healy’s opening partner Beth Mooney carved out three half-centuries, while bowlers Tayla Vlaeminck and Jess Jonassen shined.
Australia begins their World Cup defence with another clash against India on February 21 in Sydney.
Originally published as Women’s T20 World Cup: Aussies not worried about sudden loss of form from Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry