Australia captain Alyssa Healy admits more women’s international cricket is unlikely in a busy calendar, as she prepares to lead her team in a one-off Test in India.
the main points:
- The Test against India is part of a series that also includes ODIs and T20Is
- Healey says the multi-format series is essential to keep the tests going
- Australia has not played a Test in India since 1984
Healy overcame a serious finger injury to confirm her place in the historic Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, starting on Thursday.
This will be Australia’s first Test match since their win over England in June.
The last time Australia played a Test in India was 1984.
The highly anticipated tour of Australia also features three ODIs and as many T20s, and follows India’s destruction of England over the course of 347 runs in a one-off Test.
Healy, who was appointed earlier this month to replace retiring Meg Lanning as Australia’s captain, is keen to see more women’s Test matches.
But the star said the multi-format series was essential to enable women to play the longest form of the game.
“I would like to see more (testing) done but I think the reality of that is not going to happen,” Healey said.
“At the same time, I think if more and more countries around the world are interested in playing the multi-format series, I think it is a great way to bring Test cricket back into our game.”
Healy missed the entire WBBL after injuring her finger in October while trying to break up a fight between her two dogs.
The 33-year-old was given permission to resume with the gloves against India but will not open the batting.
Instead, she will feature in the middle order in spin-friendly conditions, having seen star spinner Deepti Sharma rack up matching figures of 9-39 in India’s thumping win over England.
“The challenge of having a lot of spin in the middle is going to be a really good challenge,” Healy said.
“I’m not too worried about that.
“I think I have the ability and I’ve played long enough to be able to adapt to that and play the role the team needs.”
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