Australia makes decision on captain Alyssa Healy’s return from injury

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has fronted the media to provide the latest on her injury ahead of Thursday’s Ashes Test match at the MCG.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy ditched the moon boot and declared herself “good to go” for Thursday’s Ashes Test at the MCG after her foot survived a gruelling net session on Tuesday night.

Healy, who missed Australia’s Twenty20 wins through injury and was picked in the Test squad as a batter only, said the Aussie XI wasn’t “locked in” but fronted media as captain on Thursday to confirm star all-rounder Ash Gardner would return to the Test side after overcoming a calf issue.

“I am good to go, we will make a final decision on the XI over the next little period and let those who are involved in the decision know,” Healy said.

“I feel like I am ready to go, the final XI hasn’t quite been decided on just yet, but I am standing here in front of you without a moon boot on, so I am good to go.

“It’s been surprising me every single day that I have done some stuff just how well it has responded. I was pushed pretty hard yesterday, the girls saw me, I was blowing a fair bit.

“We’ve obviously done that on purpose to see what I can and can’t get through. I have pulled up really well, so I am really positive.”

Alyssa Healy of Australia chats during an Ashes training session at the MCG. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Healy said it was “a bit of both” when asked how much of the decision surrounding her selection was taken out of her hands.

“I think the medical staff have been really supportive of not necessarily what I wanted to do but just the opportunity to potentially push to play in this Test match in particular,” she said.

“We’ve done everything we possibly can to put myself in a position to put my hand up and say ‘I am ready to go’.

“There’s a little bit taken out of my hands in that regard and obviously still want to do the best by the team.

“But I am excited and feel like body-wise I am ready to get out there and lead the side in a Test match.”

Alyssa Healy of Australia (L) and Heather Knight of England inspect the pink ball being used for the Ashes Test at the MCG. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Healy got through training with as little medication as possible, which she said was a “mental nod” she needed prior to her return.

“I mean there’s a bit of unknown as to how the four days will pan out,” she said.

“At the moment I am on as little medication as possible, which is a huge sign that I can get through without. It always means I can have more, right?

“We’ve sought a lot of advice, a lot of specialist’s advice as to what it might do moving forward (long term) and there’s no real evidence to suggest that it might go any further than what it currently is.

“That’s positive signs for me and probably gave me the mental nod as well to go ‘yep, I can push through and try and play’.”

It’s understood Georgia Voll is likely to hold her spot in the side irrespective of the returning Healy and Gardner.

Voll, who is yet to play Test cricket, opened in each of the three Twenty20s in Healy’s absence, scoring 21, 5 and 23.

Healy confirmed Beth Mooney would slide down from opening and said there was an “obvious candidate” for the top of the order.

“I do and I don’t know those things, the final make-up of the XI will be decided upon this afternoon and I think all of those players will be notified,” she said.

“Moons (Beth Mooney) coming down the order is a bit of a shift and we’re going to have to make a decision at the top.

“I am more than happy to bat anywhere for Australia, I think everybody knows that, so if it’s me, great, if it’s not me then there’s a pretty obvious candidate.”

Originally published as Australia makes decision on captain Alyssa Healy’s return from injury