Alyssa Healy Returns to Sydney Sixers Following Injury

Sydney Sixers have received a significant boost as Australian captain Alyssa Healy has recovered from her T20 World Cup-ending injury, making her available for their upcoming match against the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

Healy sustained a ruptured plantar fascia in her right foot during a match against Pakistan in Dubai, which sidelined her for the final group game and the semi-final, where Australia was eliminated from the tournament. She is set to return on Friday at North Sydney Oval, where she will face off against Meg Lanning and the Melbourne Stars.

Reflecting on her decision to withdraw from the semi-final after Australia's loss to South Africa, Healy expressed the difficulty of choosing not to play. "It was a really hard decision to make last night as to whether or not we're going to give it a punt or not," she said. Healy detailed her injury, stating, "I ruptured my plantar fascia - completely ruptured one and partially ruptured the other. It was just a matter of function and pain and what I could handle, and, ultimately, I probably only had one game in me, and probably took the wrong risk."

After returning to Australia, Healy acknowledged that managing her workload would be crucial during a packed schedule that includes the WBBL, an ODI series against India and New Zealand, and the Women's Ashes in January. "There's a lot of cricket to be played this summer," she noted on the Willow Talk podcast. "And regarding getting myself through that, it's going to be about managing what I can and can't do... There’s potential that might not take place so we’ll just have to see."

In their recent games, the Sixers faced a setback against defending champions Adelaide Strikers, but started their tournament on a high note with a victory over the Melbourne Renegades, where 15-year-old Caoimhe Bray scored the winning runs after Ellyse Perry’s explosive 81 off 38 balls. Additionally, Scotland’s Sarah Bryce has been a standout performer for the Sixers, contributing a match-winning 36 not out against the Renegades, followed by an impressive 62 off 44 balls against the Strikers.

However, the team will be without New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who is doubtful for the entire competition due to an injury sustained while playing in India.

Healy's return is expected to invigorate the Sixers as they aim for success in the ongoing WBBL season.