Australian captain Alyssa Healy no lock to play pink-ball Test against England, Ash Gardner likely

Alyssa Healy said she’d have to have her injured foot chopped off to miss the historic Ashes Test at the MCG but 48 hours out her place is not confirmed.

A decision on whether Australian captain Alyssa Healy takes her place in the Ashes Test at the MCG could be left until the last minute with coach Shelley Nitschke unwilling to “rush” a call as the skipper tries to overcome a foot injury.

But Nitschke expects star all-rounder Ash Gardner to take her place as the home team seek a whitewash of England.

Healy missed Australia’s three T20s after playing a crucial hand in the opening One-Day Internationals after revelations of a significant foot issue which forced her to get around in a moon boot.

Gardner missed the same games, which Australia won to take a 12-0 lead in the multi-format series, with a calf issue.

Nitschke said Gardner would train at full capacity on Tuesday afternoon and be available for a welcomed return to the side.

Healy was also expected to “do a reasonable training” on Tuesday but is racing against the clock to prove her fitness for the stand-alone Test to end the series.

“Look she’s (Healy) going as well as can be expected,” Nitschke said.

“I think you’ve all seen her out in a (moon) boot and taking some weight off that foot.

Injured captain Alyssa Healy has been wearing a moon boot to nurse her injured foot. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“She’ll have a test today, (we’ll) just see where that lands, have some discussions about that and whether or not we think she’s going to be OK for a four-day Test.

“We don’t have to actually lock it in until the toss but there’s obviously repercussions around that with who is captain and what our line-up looks like.

“Ash is tracking really well, I expect her to train fully today and be available for selection.”

Nitschke conceded the call on Healy’s fitness was a difficult decision either way.

“I think it’s just about keeping in mind what’s best for the team, that’s always been front and foremost,” she said.

“We don’t play a lot of Tests so there is some emotion involved but we want to do what’s best for the team.”

Ashleigh Gardner was player of the match in the last Ashes Test in 2023. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Australia has the opportunity to create further history with a clean sweep of England.

Nitschke said it would be an “amazing” accomplishment for her already decorated side but denied it playing a factor in their preparation.

“It’s not something we’ve spoken about a lot,” she said.

“We’ve just focused on each game and the format we’re playing and playing that brand of cricket we want to put out there and be happy with.

“A clean sweep would be amazing … hopefully we can get into a position to make that possible but I don’t think we’ll get too far ahead of ourselves.”