Australia Women’s captain Alyssa Healy has been ruled out from the remainder of the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League 2024/25 due to an injury, and she is doubtful for the upcoming home WODI series against India Women. 

The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy will miss the ongoing WBBL season due to a left knee injury. 

Alyssa Healy struggling since the Women's T20 WC

Healy already missed out on most of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, as she played only one match (against Pakistan Women) before her foot injury forced her to miss the tournament. During the chasing of the 83-run target against Pakistan Women, Healy scored 37 off 23 balls before retiring hurt. 

Due to workload management, Healy was participating in the WBBL with limited actions. The right-handed batter scored only 20 runs in four matches of the WBBL season as the Sydney Sixers’ star scored only 4, 4, 11, and 1 runs, respectively. 

Sydney Sixers are already struggling in the WBBL 2024/25 season. They are in sixth place in the WBBL 2024/25 points table with six points after seven matches with three wins and four defeats. 

Teenager Frankie Nicklin has replaced Healy for the remainder of the WBBL 2024/25. Last October, she made her WBBL debut as she played two matches for the Sydney Sixers. While the right-handed batter scored a duck, the leg-spinner is waiting to deliver a ball.

Sydney Sixers star Alyssa Healy has sustained a left knee injury that will rule her out for the remainder of #WBBL10

Healy has been replaced by Frankie Nicklin in the Sixers squad ahead of Sunday's Sydney Smash pic.twitter.com/Xc5Umv7s53

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 16, 2024

Injured Healy in danger to miss WODI series against India Women

While Healy has been ruled out from the remaining WBBL 2024/25, she is doubtful for the home WODI series against India Women. Brisbane will host the first two WODIs on December 5 and 8, and Perth will host the last WODI on December 11. If Healy misses the upcoming WODI series, Tahila McGrath is likely to lead Australia Women.

This upcoming WODI series will be part of the 2022/23-2025 ICC Women’s Championship, where Australia Women are leading with 28 points after 18 games with 13 wins, three defeats, and two no results. While they have already secured their place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the hosts for the Women’s CWC 2025, India Women, are in third place with 25 points after 15 games with 12 wins, two losses, and one no result.

The anticipated 2024 Women's T20 World Cup generates excitement among cricket fans. The short format is all about swashbuckling sixes and disintegrating wickets, which is what spectators love about the game. The T20 format is most commonly associated with hitters in swashbuckling form with the willow. The competition has witnessed spectacular batting performances, with cricketers scoring runs at will and breaking several records.

As a result, it is evident that T20 cricket is commonly regarded as a batter's game; nonetheless, a few individuals thrive and constantly score runs like machines. So, here are the top five run scorers from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup event.  

1.Suzie Bates (New Zealand): 1066 Runs

Suzie Bates, the former captain of the New Zealand women's cricket team, leads all cricketers in the Women's T20 World Cup in terms of runs scored. She is the first player in tournament history to break the 1,000-run mark, scoring 1,066 runs in 36 matches across eight seasons with a strike rate of 114.13 and 32.3 average.

Her record includes eight fifties, with her top score of 94 not out, demonstrating her exceptional batsmanship throughout crucial events. 

2. Meg Lanning (Australia): 992 Runs

Meg Lanning is a common name amongst female cricket fandom, thanks to her robust batting and assuring captaincy. Even in the shortest format of the game, she is one of the few batters to score a century across all the Women's T20 World Cup tournaments.

In 35 T20 World Cup appearances, she scored 992 runs at a strike rate of 112.72 and 39.68 on average. This record contains four fifties and one century, with her highest score of 126.

Also Read: ICC announces all-female match officials for Women's T20 World Cup 2024

3. Alyssa Healy (Australia): 941 Runs

Alyssa Healy, who would lead the Aussies squad for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, seals the third spot in the most runs scored across all T20 World Cup tournaments. She is a wholesome wicketkeeper batter who can create an impact ahead and behind the stumps.

Along with her keeping, she is also noted for her aggressive hitting. Healy scored 941 runs in 39 matches at a strike rate of 128.37 and 28.51 average, including seven fifties, the highest of which was 83.

4. Stefanie Taylor (West Indies): 926 Runs

Stefanie Taylor, the former Windies captain and flamboyant hitter, has been a vital member of the current West Indies team. Matthews, known for her aggressive and swashbuckling hitting style, has been a consistent contributor to the sport, whether for the National side or in franchise-based tournaments.

Also, she happens to be the fifth highest wickettaker in the Women's T20 World Cup. In 31 matches, Taylor has totalled 926 runs at a strike rate of 94.68 and 37.04 average, which includes six fifties, with her highest score being 59.

5. Charlotte Edwards (England): 768 Runs

Charlotte Edwards boasts a long 20-year international career, where she created a significant impact with the bat for the English side. Her long-experienced stint in the tournament has helped her team obtain some pivotal runs and seal a spot in the top run-getters of the Women's T20 World Cup.

In 24 matches, she amassed 768 runs with a strike rate of 103.92 and an average of 36.57. This includes five fifties with the highest score of 80. 

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy is confident that the experience gained in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be invaluable for her team as they prepare to face Bangladesh in an upcoming series. With the pitches in Bangladesh expected to be similar to those in the WPL, Healy believes her team will be well-prepared, especially with seven players fresh from their WPL commitments. She emphasized the importance of adapting quickly to the low and slow conditions, highlighting the communication and experience within the team as key factors in overcoming any challenges.

Acknowledging the modern demands of cricket, Healy expressed excitement about the rare opportunity to play against Bangladesh, particularly for those experiencing it for the first time. She stressed the need for Australia’s batting unit to counter spin effectively, emphasizing an adaptive approach rather than a defensive one. Healy sees the challenge of facing Bangladesh as an opportunity for growth and welcomed the chance to experience new conditions and opposition.

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s strengths, Healy pointed out their skilled bowling attack, particularly their spinners, which she believes poses a significant threat to teams not accustomed to subcontinental conditions. She praised Bangladesh’s progress in women’s cricket, noting their emergence as a formidable team in the ODI Women’s Championship and the positive impact it has on the global growth of the sport.

Adapting to Subcontinental Conditions

Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana is optimistic about her team’s performance following a competitive series against India, which boosted their confidence and visibility in world cricket.

She emphasized the importance of showcasing individual talents within her team and expressed determination to compete against Australia, acknowledging them as world champions and a benchmark for women’s cricket. Despite recognizing Australia’s superiority, Nigar highlighted the increasing support and attention towards women’s cricket in Bangladesh, which she believes will inspire more girls to pursue the sport professionally.

SEE ALSO: Suresh Raina speaks about Dhoni’s retirement

Both Healy and Nigar are gearing up for a competitive series, each acknowledging the challenges and opportunities it presents for their respective teams. While Healy focuses on preparation and adaptation, Nigar emphasizes the growth and potential of women’s cricket in Bangladesh, aiming to make a mark against the reigning champions.

Fixtures

ODI Series:

• March 21: 1st ODI at Mirpur
• March 24: 2nd ODI at Mirpur
• March 27: 3rd ODI at Mirpur

T20I Series:

• March 31: 1st T20I at Mirpur
• April 2: 2nd T20I at Mirpur
• April 4: 3rd T20I at Mirpur

UP Warriors faced a setback in their recent match against RCB, falling short by 23 runs in the chase. Captain Alyssa Healy displayed resilience, but the team struggled due to the inconsistent form of their Indian batters. While RCB secured a high-scoring victory, UP Warriors grappled with challenges, emphasizing the need for strategic improvements, particularly among their local Indian players.

The match marked RCB’s return to winning ways, showcasing their strength under Smriti Mandhana’s leadership. The loss for UP Warriorz against the formidable side highlights areas for refinement, emphasizing the significance of collective efforts and consistent performances, especially from their Indian contingent, to enhance their competitiveness in the ongoing tournament.

In the first innings, Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry showcased exceptional batting form, constructing a formidable 95-run partnership for RCB. Their stellar performance set an imposing target of 199 runs against Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriors. Facing a challenging chase, UP Warriors’ opening assault was valiantly thwarted by RCB’s bowlers, securing a crucial victory. This win marked a significant turnaround for RCB, who had faced setbacks in two consecutive matches.

See Also: WPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Smriti Mandhana’s Innings Progress from Start to Finish?

A Tactical Breakdown of UP Warriorz Batting Setbacks

The UP Warriorz have experienced sporadic brilliance in the tournament, often relying on standout performances from their foreign players, notably Grace Harris and captain Alyssa Healy. While these overseas contributors have played pivotal roles in securing victories for the team, the Indian batters, with the exception of Kiran Navgire’s exceptional half-century, have struggled to consistently deliver impactful performances. 

The UP Warriorz have found stability and significant contributions from their overseas players, particularly Grace Harris and captain Alyssa Healy, in the ongoing tournament. Grace Harris has emerged as the leading run-scorer for the team, amassing 158 runs in 5 matches at an impressive average of 52.67 and a striking strike rate of 164.58. Captain Healy closely follows with 139 runs, solidifying her role as a key contributor to the team’s batting lineup. 

The UP Warriorz have faced challenges in terms of consistent performances from their Indian batters. Kiran Navgire has managed 98 runs in 5 matches at an average of 19.60, indicating a need for more substantial contributions. Deepti Sharma has fared relatively better with 95 runs at an average of 47.50, yet there is room for improvement.

Swetha Sehrawat has scored 79 runs in 4 innings, maintaining an average of 19.75 and a strike rate of 100. To enhance their overall team performance, the UP Warriorz would benefit significantly from improved contributions and form from their Indian batting contingent. The UP Warriorz have been heavily reliant on their foreign players, particularly Grace Harris and Alyssa Healy, in the Women’s Premier League 2024.

While these overseas players have delivered impactful performances, there is a notable lack of consistent contributions from the Indian batters. Kiran Navgire, Deepti Sharma, and Swetha Sehrawat have shown glimpses but need to elevate their performances for a more balanced team effort. The team’s success hinges on bridging this gap and fostering greater consistency among their Indian contingent. As the tournament progresses, UP Warriorz will benefit significantly from a collective and formidable display from both their foreign and Indian players.

Ever since its inception in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), it has been one of the significant bricks in the growth and reach of Indian female cricket. From the promising performances of the emerging players to the display of pure class calibre by the experienced players, the tournament has been a gateway for the impeccable display of cricket talent.

As the tournament gears up for its second edition in the coming few days, all five teams have created robust arsenals in the auction process and are geared up for the intriguing and intense clashes. With all five teams making their final squads for the coming few days of the WPL 2024, here are the top players from each participating team to check out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil demonstrated her bowling skills during the WPL 2023 season, taking six wickets in 7 matches with an average of 32.00. Her impressive performance for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023 as the best wicket-taker with an economy rate of 5.83 demonstrates her significance as a reliable bowler in critical situations. Patil’s ability to develop breakthroughs under duress makes her a valuable asset to the team. She can be a spinmeister for the RCB in the long run, especially after a mediocre inaugural run and enhancement of expectations for the second edition.

Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the English cricketer, has emerged as a vital role in the Mumbai Indians Women’s team. Sciver performed excellently in the last WPL season, scoring 332 runs in 10 games at a fantastic average of 66.40 and a stunning strike rate of 140.08.

Her recent performances in the T20I series in India and the WBBL 2023/24 season highlight her place in the team’s batting order. And it is not a surprise that the defending champions would keep their performance consistent with the help of a top-notch squad.

See also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/wpl-2024-top-3-contenders-to-win-the-purple-cap

Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning

Meg Lanning, an experienced 31-year-old Australian cricketer, will exhibit her hitting prowess in the forthcoming 2024 Women’s Premier League season. Lanning’s ability to perform under duress is demonstrated by his remarkable aggregate of 345 runs in nine outings.

With an average of 49.29 and an excellent strike rate of 139.11, her leadership and hitting skills are expected to be critical in guiding her team to success. As a seasoned campaigner and the leading run-scorer in the 2023 season, Lanning brings skill and leadership to the Delhi Capitals Women, where she hopes to guide her side to success.

UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy

The dynamic captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, is a shining example of consistency and intensity in the UP Warriorz team. Her outstanding results in the last WPL season, when she scored 253 runs in 9 matches with a fantastic strike rate of 141.34, highlight her importance as a top-order hitter.

With a strong track record in international cricket and a flair for excelling under pressure, Healy exemplifies the team’s aggressive style at the crease. Her achievements on the pitch have undoubtedly aided UP Warriorz Women’s campaign, displaying her potential to thrive in the WPL’s fierce competition.

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney, an accomplished Australian cricketer, adds extensive expertise to the Gujarat Giants. As a consistent opener, Mooney’s dependability and aggressiveness have the potential to stabilise the team’s batting lineup and successfully anchor innings. Her recent outstanding performance in WBBL 2023-2024, when she scored the most runs in the competition, demonstrates her capacity to dominate the field.

Though her injury hampered her prospects of playing in the inaugural edition, it is clear that the top T20I women’s batter would leave no stone unturned in displaying her calibre to the Gujarat Giants, who are seeking to turn the tables after their forgettable first season.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket league has shown spectators both skill and robust rivalry, with batters frequently deciding the outcome of games. As the competition prepares for another exciting season, all eyes are focused on the top performers.

The second season of the WPL will include more young players looking to showcase their abilities and make a name for themselves. Some players stand out as possible match-winners in this highly competitive competition due to their constant run-scoring skills. The hitters have been the standout of any team’s game-winning performances. So, let’s take a closer look at the top three batters to watch out for in the upcoming season of WPL, who have the potential to make a solid impact with the willow to emerge as the highest run-scorer and earn the Orange Cap in the WPL 2024.

Nat-Sciver Brunt

Nat-Sciver Brunt is one of the most experienced batters in the event. The English hitter has been constant with the bat, and her ability to play according to the game’s circumstances sets her apart from others. She displayed her abilities during the league’s initial season by significantly bolstering the Mumbai Indians middle-order batting.

The 31-year-old hitter had the second-highest run total in the competition, scoring 332 runs in ten games with a commendable average of 66.40 and a high score of 72* against the UP Warriorz. And it is evident how she would contribute to the defending champions in the upcoming season in the form of her runs count.

Shafali Verma

Shafali Varma, an Indian batswoman who made a mark in the female cricketing world at the teenage age of 16, has done the talking, using her aggressive and assertive batting approach to sum up her career. In the inaugural season of the WPL, she got the chance to represent the Delhi Capitals and made the team’s opening pair with the former Orange Cap holder Meg Lanning.

Thanks to her swashbuckling approach of middling the ball, she has earned the best strike rate of the whole tournament by scoring an impressive 252 runs in nine matches, with two half-centuries and a colossal strike rate of 185.29 for the Capitals. As it suggests, many cricketing fans await to see her bat do the talking and be a contender to score the highest runs in the second WPL edition.

Alyssa Healy

The 33-year-old batswoman from down under, Alyssa Healy, has had an impeccable previous WPL season with her inaugural stint with the UP Warriorz. Accredited for her consistency and turning the game in her team’s favour, Healy has scored an impressive 253 runs in her nine-game timeline.

She also has a fantastic average of 31.62 runs per match and a strike rate of 141.34. Her achievements on the pitch have aided UP Warriorz Women’s campaign, displaying her potential to thrive in the WPL’s fierce competition. And it is no surprise that she could be one of the robust contenders for the orange cap in the coming edition.