New Delhi, 18 October (Hindustan Reporter). Australian captain Alyssa Healy has revealed that plantar fasciitis ruptures in both her feet midway through the tournament mean she has only one match left in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, against South Africa. Being out of the semi-finals to be held on Thursday proved to be a wrong decision for him.
Australia's T20 reign, which dates back to winning the title in the Caribbean in 2018, ended with an 8-wicket defeat at the hands of last edition's runners-up South Africa in the first semi-final in Dubai on Thursday (October 17). .
“I had plantar fascia tears in both my feet, one completely and the other partially,” Healy said after his team's exit from the semi-finals. It was just a matter of work and pain and ultimately, perhaps, I only had one game left. “Maybe at the end of the day I took the wrong risk.”
When the two teams arrived at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday for the re-match of the 2023 World Cup final, Healy was the first player to walk out of the Australian dressing room and inspect the pitch wearing full playing kit and spikes. However, as more of his Australian teammates emerged from the dugout, it became clear that the captain had only worn the suit for the team photo before the knockout game.
After getting injured and walking off the field in severe pain during Australia's chase of 83 in their only group match against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday, the Australian captain returned to Sharjah on crutches as a precautionary measure and his She was walking wearing a moon-boot on her right foot.
Despite not disclosing the exact nature or extent of Healy's injury, the fact that Australia did not demand a replacement for the captain was indication enough that the management was hopeful of his return for the knockouts.
Healy did not train with the team on the eve of the semi-final, while stand-in vice-captain Ellyse Perry said the team was prepared to make a decision on her availability at a later date.
Healy said that she herself was not sure how close she was to being fully match ready.
“I really don't know – it's hard to answer, but hopefully I won't regret trying it,” he said. But, you never know what was going to happen there.”
Healy's injury and further rehabilitation course will be properly assessed upon his return to Australia ahead of the 10th edition of the WBBL, which begins next Sunday (October 27).