But Healy, the Australia captain who has been suffering from a knee injury since mid-November, admitted that a tight schedule of seven matches – including a four-day test – in the space of 22 days could mean some staff turnover over the course of the season. of the series, which begins with three ODIs followed by three T20s.
“Yeah, done,” a beaming Healy told reporters of her staying power after a practice session at North Sydney Oval, less than 24 hours before the series begins at the same venue.
“I would probably be lying if I said there was no doubt, especially after a difficult couple of months, but everything has probably gone as well as we hoped. I feel very good.
“More importantly, I feel very confident that I can go out and do that job. I wouldn’t do it if I felt like I was going to let the team down. I’m very excited to be able to do it.” Come back there tomorrow.”
Healy has endured a difficult career through injury since October, when he tore the plantar fascia in his right foot while running between the wickets during Australia’s pool match against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
However, having proven to be such a valuable option at the top of the order, including fifty starts alongside Healy in the well-worn Ashes warm-up between England and the Governor General’s XI, Voll could slot in any time Healy needs a rest.
“It’s a valid question, and I still don’t know the answer to it,” Healy said when asked if he had recovered enough to play all the Ashes matches. “I think it will depend on how I stop after each opportunity.
“But obviously we know we’ve got a pretty handy back-up that’s ready to do the job, and I know I can run down the field pretty confidently as well, so we’ll just play it by ear. From my point of view, in perspective, I’d love to be able to follow all the games, but we will have to see how the body goes.
“She has improved her consistency, she has also added some skills to her game. She was very raw in that series and really made an impact, so she is one of several bowlers who will contribute throughout this series.
“She’s certainly someone who bowls wicket-taking balls and that’s what we want her to do. Accept that sometimes she’s going to run, that’s completely fine, that’s not her job. Her job is to come in and take posts and try to upset some feathers, so I’m excited to see her play safely.”
England XI (possible): Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (captain), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (week), Alice Capsey/Sophia Dunkley, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer/Kate Cross
Australia XI (possible): Alyssa Healy (captain, week), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown/Georgia Wareham
Valkerie Baynes is managing editor of women’s cricket at ESPNcricinfo
