As she prepares to lead her team in a one-off Test in India, Australia captain Alyssa Healy admits that more women’s international red-ball cricket is unlikely due to a busy schedule.
Key points:
- The Test against India is part of a series that also includes ODIs and T20Is.
- Healy believes that multi-format series are critical to the survival of Test cricket.
- Australia has not played a Test match in India since 1984.
Healy has overcome a serious finger injury to secure her place in the historic Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, which begins on Thursday.
It will be Australia’s first Test match since beating England in June.
Australia last played a Test match in India in 1984.
Australia’s eagerly anticipated tour also includes three ODIs and as many T20s, and it comes on the heels of India’s 347-run thrashing of England in a one-off Test.
Healy, who was earlier this month appointed the retired Meg Lanning’s replacement as Australia captain, is eager to see more women’s Test matches played.
However, the star wicketkeeper-batter stated that multi-format series were critical to women’s ability to play the longest form of the game.
Jennings supports Healy for captain, keep, and open
Will Alyssa Healy step down as opener or wicketkeeper now that she is the official captain of the Australian women’s team?
“I’d love to see more (Tests) played but I think the reality of that is it won’t happen,” Healy said.
“At the same time, if more and more nations around the world are interested in playing the multi-format series, I think it is a great way to get Test cricket back relevant in our game.”
Healy missed the entire WBBL after hurting a finger in October while trying to break up a fight between her two dogs.
The 33-year-old has been cleared to return to the field against India, but will not bat.
Instead, she will bat in the middle order in what are expected to be spin-friendly conditions, having seen star spinner Deepti Sharma claim match figures of 9-39 in India’s thrashing of England.
“The challenge of facing a lot of spin through the middle will be a really good one,” Healy said.
“I am not concerned.
“I think I’ve got the ability and I’ve played long enough to be able to adapt to that and just play the role that the team needs.”
