Healy Withdraws from New Zealand Tour but Eyes ODI World Cup Return

Published on: February 26, 2025

Healy Withdraws from New Zealand Tour but Eyes ODI World Cup Return

Nicole Faltum Earns Maiden Call-Up as Healy Misses New Zealand Tour

Australia’s women’s cricket team is gearing up for their three-match T20I series against New Zealand in March, but they will be without their captain and star wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy. Healy has been ruled out due to a foot injury, though selectors remain confident she will recover in time for the ODI World Cup later this year.

In her absence, Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper-batter Nicole Faltum has received her first international call-up, joining Australia’s 14-player squad for the series. While Faltum’s chances of making her debut are slim, selectors view this as an opportunity for her to gain valuable experience within the national team environment.

Healy’s Absence and World Cup Prospects

Alyssa Healy’s absence from the New Zealand series was widely anticipated as she continues her rehabilitation from a stress fracture in her right foot. The 34-year-old has endured a difficult run of injuries over the past year, which has impacted her availability across multiple formats.

Table of Contents

Healy’s troubles began at the T20 World Cup in October 2024, where she ruptured her plantar fascia, forcing her to miss Australia’s final group-stage match and the semi-final against South Africa. Despite recovering to play in the Women’s Ashes, she was only able to participate in the MCG Test as a specialist middle-order batter.

Adding to her woes, Healy sustained a knee injury early in the WBBL season, ruling her out for the remainder of the tournament and Australia’s ODI series against India. As a result, she also had to withdraw from the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India.

Despite these setbacks, Australia’s chief selector Shawn Flegler remains optimistic about Healy’s chances of featuring in the ODI World Cup.

IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli’s 51st ODI Century-Champions Trophy

“My understanding is that there’s no doubt she’ll get through to the World Cup, that’s for sure,” Flegler said. “She’s had a complicated last couple of years with some different injuries related to her foot, some Achilles issues, and other concerns. But we certainly don’t want to rush it. There’s no risk of her missing the World Cup.”

If her rehabilitation progresses as planned, Healy could return to competitive cricket in The Hundred before Australia’s ODI series in India in September, leading directly into the World Cup.

Nicole Faltum: A Reward for Consistency

The 25-year-old Nicole Faltum has earned her maiden call-up on the back of a strong domestic season. The Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper-batter played a crucial role in their Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) triumph and also led the Governor-General’s XI against England in January.

While her selection is a significant milestone, it is unlikely that she will feature in the playing XI, as Beth Mooney will take over wicketkeeping duties in Healy’s absence.

“We just see Nic slightly ahead of the others, particularly for the T20 format,” Flegler explained. “It’s really unlikely that she will play. Beth did a great job during the Ashes replacing Alyssa, but we felt this was a great opportunity for Nicole to be around the group, train with them, and experience the international environment firsthand.”

Faltum edged out Tahlia Wilson and Maddy Darke for the backup wicketkeeper role, with selectors favoring her ability to adapt quickly in high-pressure situations.

Tahlia McGrath to Captain in Healy’s Absence

With Healy unavailable, Tahlia McGrath will step in as captain for the series against New Zealand. McGrath has been a consistent performer across formats and is seen as a strong leadership option for the future. Ashleigh Gardner will serve as her deputy.

McGrath has led Australia before in Healy’s absence, and her experience in Australia’s dominant Ashes campaign will be valuable as the team prepares for a tough challenge against the reigning T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand.

Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck Remain Sidelined

Australia will also be without allrounder Sophie Molineux, who continues her recovery from a knee injury that ruled her out of the multiformat Ashes series.
“We want to make sure that she’s right for the World Cup because we think she’ll be an important member of that side,” Flegler said. “When she came back into the team, she played a really good role for us across all formats. We’re not going to rush her back.”

Molineux’s return is expected around September, but selectors are taking a cautious approach given the complexity of her injury.

Meanwhile, Tayla Vlaeminck faces a more uncertain timeline for her return. The fast bowler dislocated her bowling shoulder in Australia’s T20 World Cup match against Pakistan last October and is still undergoing rehabilitation. While selectors hope she will return at some point next summer, there is no definitive comeback date.

Virat Kohli Set to Create History 156 catches, making him the Indian with the most catches in (ODIs).

Australia’s Motivation Heading into the Series

The three-match T20I series against New Zealand marks one of the final opportunities for Australia to fine-tune their squad ahead of the 2025 T20 World Cup in England. Despite being the dominant force in women’s cricket for years, Australia was left disappointed by their early exit in the previous tournament, with New Zealand emerging as the new world champions.

“We were really disappointed with how the T20 World Cup ended for us, and New Zealand did extremely well to win that tournament,” Flegler admitted. “This series is a great chance for us to go up against them. There’s always a strong rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, and I’m sure they’ll be keen to play well against us.”

Having recently completed a 16-0 Ashes triumph, Australia will enter the series with confidence, but they are well aware that New Zealand will provide a tough challenge on home soil.

“We don’t have that many T20 matches leading into the next T20 World Cup, so every opportunity is important,” Flegler said. “It’s about trying different combinations and getting players comfortable in their new roles.”

Australia’s Squad for the New Zealand Tour

Australia has named a 14-player squad for the three-match T20I series, with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents.

Full Squad:

• Tahlia McGrath (captain)
• Nicole Faltum (wicketkeeper)
• Ashleigh Gardner (vice-captain)
• Darcie Brown
• Kim Garth
• Grace Harris
• Alana King
• Phoebe Litchfield
• Beth Mooney (wicketkeeper)
• Ellyse Perry
• Megan Schutt
• Annabel Sutherland
• Georgia Voll
• Georgia Wareham

With a balanced squad featuring powerful all-rounders, experienced bowlers, and young talents like Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll, Australia will be looking to test different combinations ahead of a crucial year in women’s cricket.

Looking Ahead

The T20I series against New Zealand will serve as a significant test for Australia as they continue their preparations for major upcoming tournaments. The focus will be on giving players valuable match experience, experimenting with different strategies, and ensuring key players like Healy and Molineux return to full fitness ahead of the ODI World Cup.

With Nicole Faltum earning a well-deserved maiden call-up and leaders like Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner stepping up in Healy’s absence, Australia is set for an exciting series against a formidable New Zealand side.

The opening match of the three-match T20I series is set to take place on March 21 in Auckland, followed by games in Wellington and Christchurch.