Nine’s Wide World of Sports
Selectors will wait until virtually the toss to decide Alyssa Healy's fitness for Australia's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Healy suffered an unclosed foot injury against Pakistan, and was on crutches and wearing a moon boot while watching the following game against India from the stands.
She did not take part in the team's final training session on Wednesday night (AEDT).
READ MORE: 'One more shot': Kyrgios confirms tennis comeback
READ MORE: Polarising star's parting message to angry Dogs fans
READ MORE: Rookie reveals Ricciardo's classy move before brutal axing
In her place, Grace Harris opened the batting against India, while Beth Mooney pulled on the gloves.
Alyssa Healy in action during Australia's T20 World Cup match against New Zealand. AP
Talking to the Willow Talk podcast earlier in the week, Healy said she was hopeful to be fit in time for either the semi or the final.
"(It's) not much fun, I will put it that way (but) thankfully, it wasn't my calf," she said.
"I'm still in the squad, so I haven't been replaced and there's still the chance that I can take part in this tournament.
"It was bloody sore at the time … as you could probably tell by the extra expression on my face, but it's play on and hopefully get myself right for either a semi or a final."
Healy was on crutches and wearing a moon boot ahead of Australia's last T20 World Cup group match against India. ICC
The India game was Australia's biggest challenge of the tournament to-date. Having recorded comfortable wins against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan, their final group match against India was only a nine-run victory.
But the Aussies were able to remain calm despite skipper Hermanpreet Kaur leading a charge late in the chase.
Australia were the only team to make it through the group stage undefeated. Their semi-final opponents lost to England earlier in the tournament.
Veteran Ellyse Perry said the India win was exactly what she and her teammates needed.
"It's always really helpful to be exposed to that pressure and that challenge from opposition," she said.
"It felt like a bit of a step up the other night, particularly with the full crowd there … it was a situation we've been in before but hadn't been to be exposed during this World Cup so far.
"I thought the way we rose to that and just adapted to the challenge was awesome."
Australia will take on South Africa for a spot in the final at 1am (AEDT) Friday morning. New Zealand will take on the West Indies in the other semi-final at the same time on Saturday morning.
© 2024 Nine Entertainment Co.
