Aussie Skipper Ready for Historic Test After Battling Injury

‘I’m good to go’ – Healy fit for Test | 00:50

Australian captain Alyssa Healy has confirmed her availability for the Ashes Test at the MCG after overcoming a foot injury.

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It was understood the decision could be left until the last minute with coach Shelley Nitschke unwilling to “rush” a call on the skipper, but Healy allayed any doubts about her fitness on Wednesday.

“I’m good to go,” Healy said.

“We’ll make a final decision on what the XI looks like over the next little period and let those who are involved in the decision know, but I feel like I’m ready to go, so we’ll wait and see what happens.

“The final XI hasn’t quite been decided upon just yet but (I’m) standing here in front of you without a moon boot saying I’m ready to go.

“(Recovery has gone) really well, actually. It’s been surprising me every day that I’ve done some stuff just how well it’s responded, so I pushed pretty hard yesterday … I was blowing a bit.

“I’ve pulled up really well, so I’m really positive moving forward.”

While Nitschke expects star all-rounder Ash Gardiner (calf complaint) to take her place as the home team seek a whitewash of England, a “desperate” Healy was given every chance to prove her fitness.

Healy missed Australia’s three T20s after playing a crucial hand in the opening One-Day Internationals due to a serious foot injury that left her in a moon boot.

Gardiner too missed those games, which Australia won to take a 12-0 lead in the multi-format series.

“Look she’s (Healy) going as well as can be expected,” Nitschke said previously.

“I think you’ve all seen her out in a (moon) boot and taking some weight off that foot.

“She’ll have a test today, (we’ll) just see where that lands, have some discussions about that and whether or not we think she’s going to be OK for a four-day Test.

“We don’t have to actually lock it in until the toss but there’s obviously repercussions around that with who is captain and what our line-up looks like.

“Ash is tracking really well; I expect her to train fully today and be available for selection.”

Fox Cricket’s Drew Jones was at training on Tuesday and said it was “all eyes on Alyssa Healy” in the lead up to the historic Test.

“She’s been in the moon boot the last couple of weeks taking pressure of that mid foot soreness – the same side as her plantar fasciitis,” he said.

“Over the last 12 to 18 months she’s had so many issues with her foot.

“This is just such a tough situation for the Australian camp to make this decision on Alyssa – she’s only played nine Tests in her career. One of the best modern day Australian players. She recently said in an interview she’d basically have to have her foot sawn off for her to not play in this game – that’s how desperate she is to represent Australia in this day-night Test match.

“There’s a lot of work for her to get through.”

Nitschke conceded the call on Healy’s fitness was a difficult decision either way, with the star to be selected as a batter – and not keeper – if proven fit.

“I think it’s just about keeping in mind what’s best for the team, that’s always been front and foremost,” she said.

“We don’t play a lot of Tests so there is some emotion involved but we want to do what’s best for the team.”

Ashleigh Gardner was player of the match in the last Ashes Test in 2023. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Australia has the opportunity to create further history with a clean sweep of England.

Nitschke said it would be an “amazing” accomplishment for her already decorated side but denied it playing a factor in their preparation.

“It’s not something we’ve spoken about a lot,” she said.

“We’ve just focused on each game and the format we’re playing and playing that brand of cricket we want to put out there and be happy with.

“A clean sweep would be amazing … hopefully we can get into a position to make that possible but I don’t think we’ll get too far ahead of ourselves.”