Australia will play historic test match in India after 37 years, Alyssa Healy given green flag to lead Australia
Alyssa Healy, the newly appointed captain of the Australia women’s cricket team, has gone past the recovery process to play in the historic Test match against India in Mumbai later this week. However, coach Shelley Nitschke has yet to confirm her place in the final XI.
Despite initial uncertainty surrounding her availability, the star wicketkeeper-batter seems to be on the right track for a comeback.
Healy, who missed the entire Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) due to a finger injury sustained while intervening in a canine altercation, was recently appointed as the successor to the retired Meg Lanning as Australia’s captain. However, her spot in the XI for the red-ball match remains unconfirmed.
“Everything’s looking really positive for ‘Midge’ (Healy) and everything’s on track, as we expected,” Nitschke said. “All things being equal, we’ll see her out there, unless there’s some significant change.”
The upcoming Test match will be a major challenge for Australia, as they face off against a formidable Indian team on spin-friendly home soil under a newly appointed captain Alyssa Healy.
India recently thrashed England by a record margin in their own Test match, with spinner Deepti Sharma taking nine wickets in the process.
Australia will Face Challenging Conditions, All Eyes Will be Ashleigh Gardner and Deepti Sharma
“It was interesting to watch,” Nitschke said of the India-England Test. “The conditions out there at DY (Stadium) certainly made it quite challenging. I think it’s just about reading the conditions at Wankede Stadium, but we also know that things could get quite challenging, but just making sure that we’re well prepared for that.”
Australia last played a Test match in June, when they secured a thrilling Ashes victory against England thanks to the heroics of spinner Ashleigh Gardner. However, their last Test match in India was way back in 1984.
“It’s a tough one to prepare for,” Nitschke admitted. “The girls are coming off the back of the WBBL and it looks like we’re going to get some really traditional subcontinent conditions, but it’s also really exciting. I think everyone’s just embracing the challenge.”
The tour of India will be a stern test for Healy and her team, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity to make history. With a bit of luck and some skillful spin bowling, Australia could well come away with a famous victory in Mumbai.
READ MORE: Satheesh & Rodrigues Shine as India Leads Epic England Test
India Women v Australia Women Series Details
The Test match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, starting on December 21st.
The tour will also include three ODIs and three T20s.
India’s Deepti Sharma will be one of the key players to watch out for, after her outstanding performance in the Test against England.
