Beth Mooney on verge of miraculous comeback for Ashes Test just nine days after surgery on broken jaw

Australian women’s cricketer Beth Mooney had to undergo surgery nine days ago as she suffered a blow to her jaw during the nets session on the first official day of the Ashes tour in Adelaide. Mooney has three metal plates in her face now along with a wire on her bottom tooth which restricts her from eating any type of solids for a while. The 28-year-old has only been taking liquid foods in the form of milkshakes, ice cream and soup through a straw.

However, in just 10 days time after her surgery, Mooney has now been cleared the fitness Test and is all set to take the field making a miraculous return. On Wednesday in Canberra, captain Meg Lanning had confirmed Mooney would be part of the Test at Manuka Oval. Mooney took part in throw down session in the nets in just three days after the surgery and she has been taking the fielding drills showing her grit and passion for the game.

It’s certainly a lot more comfortable now than before, says Beth Mooney

Mooney explained that a 3D CT scan showed two breaks near her chin and a break on her side face which was eventually diagnosed by the medical staff. She added that the broken bone would take time to heal and she has been feeling the presence of screws in the face. However, her doctor had allowed her to resume cricket action as the percentage of getting hit on the face is really low.

“(The medical staff) were pretty adamant to me not long after we got the diagnosis that we could aim for the Test match. We went and got a 3D CT scan of my skull, and there were two clear breaks pretty much straight down my chin, and then where the ball hit the side of my face, there was another clear break down the side there,” Mooney told SEN Radio

“I’ve got two plates in my chin and one near my ear and a few screws. I don’t think you can speed up a broken bone, it’s going to be broken for five more weeks, but it’s certainly a lot more comfortable now than it was a week or so ago. (The surgeon) said if you were playing a contact sport you’d need between two and four weeks …. but it’s unlikely you’re going to get hit there again and if you did, it would break anyway.” she added

Mooney had played three Tests, 44 ODIs and 61 T20 internationals for the Australian women’s side and she has immense experience as a batter. The women’s Ashes Test series is scheduled to get underway on the 27th of January and will be followed by three ODIs as well.