CWC 2025: Australia cautious over captain Healy’s fitness ahead of final group game

Australia vice-captain Tahlia McGrath has confirmed that skipper Alyssa Healy remains a day-to-day case at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, as she continues her recovery from a calf injury sustained earlier this week.

Healy picked up the injury during training and was forced to sit out Australia’s six-wicket victory over England in Indore on Wednesday, a win that lifted the defending champions to the top of the tournament standings.

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With just one group-stage match left against South Africa in Indore on Saturday before the knockout rounds begin on October 29, McGrath expressed optimism about her captain’s recovery.

“It’s a bit of a day-by-day (prognosis) and I’ll leave that in the hands of the physio. I think she’s tracking nicely, but a bit of a day-by-day progress,” McGrath said about Healy.

Australia’s semi-final opponent remains uncertain, with the final qualification spot expected to become clearer after the outcome of Thursday’s contest between hosts India and New Zealand in Navi Mumbai.

A win over South Africa will guarantee Australia a top-place finish and a meeting with the fourth-placed side in the semis. McGrath, however, acknowledged that the team still has areas to polish before the knockout stage.

“There is certainly lots to improve on from this game. For us, it’s that belief that from any position that we can win,” she said.

“So fine tune a few areas and still keeping that belief and that momentum going,” she added.

The defeat ended England’s chances of topping the group, meaning they will finish second or third depending on the outcome of their final match against New Zealand in Vizag on Sunday.

England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted her side fell short against Australia but backed them to bounce back if they meet again later in the tournament. “Yeah, definitely,” Sciver-Brunt said without hesitation when asked if England could beat Australia during the knockout stages.

“We weren’t at our best today, but I don’t think we have played our best game yet. We will be ready for them if we do see them again,” she added.