Australia captain Alyssa Healy doubtful for rest of Women’s Ashes due to foot injury

Australia’s Women’s Ashes 2025 campaign faces a significant challenge as captain Alyssa Healy’s availability for the remainder of the series is uncertain. The 34-year-old has developed “mid-foot soreness,” raising concerns about her participation in the upcoming matches.

Healy’s foot soreness, reported during the ongoing series against England, is linked to a prior plantar fascia injury sustained during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The injury flared up following the ODI series, forcing her to miss the first T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement that Healy is being “managed in a boot” and will not be available for immediate selection.

“Alyssa has developed mid-foot soreness on the same side as her previous plantar fascia injury following the ODI series. She is currently being managed in a boot and will not be available for this evening’s game,” the statement read.

The Australian medical team is consulting specialists to determine an appropriate management plan, with her availability for the remaining matches to be reassessed as more information becomes available.

This latest setback adds to Healy’s injury concerns over the past year. She initially injured her right foot during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan, followed by a knee injury during the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). These injuries kept her out of the ODI series against India and limited her to playing solely as a batter during Australia’s New Zealand tour.

Despite Healy’s absence in the first T20I, Australia has performed strongly in the Women’s Ashes series. The team swept the ODI series 3-0, giving them a commanding 6-0 points lead. Australia is now just one win away from retaining the Ashes.

England, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to end their 11-year Ashes drought. They must win all three remaining T20Is and the concluding Test to wrestle the Ashes back from Australia.