IND vs AUS Women's T20 World Cup match in Sharjah was marred by an injury concern even before a ball was bowled after Australia captain Alyssa Healy, who suffered an injury during Friday's fixture against Pakistan, arrived in crutches for the clash against India in Sharjah.
"Alyssa sustained an acute right foot injury while running between wickets," a release by Cricket Australia stated after the Pakistan game.
"Once we have more information based on her assessment and scans tomorrow, her availability for the remainder of the tournament will be clearer."
Healy's absence will create a big vacuum for the defending champions since she has led her country with aplomb so far.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
India, on the other hand, will aim to capitalize after Healy was sidelined. The Indian team will hope to exploit any weaknesses in the Australian batting lineup and secure a crucial win to strengthen its position in the tournament.
Meanwhile, before the beginning of the tournament, Healy warned that Australia is not here to defend its title; rather, it wants to win it.
"You don't come here to defend the title, that's not what the World Cup is about, you come here to win it," she said. "So we are here with that approach. Our pool [Group A with India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka] is quite a tricky one. We've got to get past these teams to have a chance of lifting the trophy. So it's a challenge I'm very excited for,” she had told cricinfo.
Australia Probable XI: Beth Mooney (wk), Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia McGrath (C), Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown/Alana King