A major uplift for the Australian squad comes with captain Alyssa Healy passing her fitness assessment ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semi-final against India. Healy’s calf injury, sustained before the England fixture, had sidelined her for the last two league encounters. However, her participation in wicket-keeping drills and a subsequent vigorous net session on Thursday in Mumbai indicates a strong recovery. Teammate Beth Mooney, who stepped in behind the stumps, shared her anticipation for Healy’s comeback, praising the captain’s game-changing ability. This sentiment was echoed by head coach Shelley Nitschke, who had expressed hope for Healy’s availability for the India semi-final, pending further evaluations. Healy’s absence was keenly felt, but her performance in the matches she played was outstanding. She has accumulated 294 runs at an average of 98 and a strike rate of 131.25, including a remarkable 142 against none other than India. Her return provides a significant tactical and psychological advantage for the defending champions as they prepare for the crucial semi-final match in Navi Mumbai.
