Women’s World Cup 2025: Alyssa Healy on track to return for semi-final clash against India

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy had intense training on Tuesday, October 28, just two days before Australia’s ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final clash against India. Healy had sustained a calf injury during a training session ahead of the match against England last week, forcing her to miss Australia’s last two group games.

Healy gave encouraging signs of recovery in the training session in Mumbai on Thursday, successfully completing a fitness test at the start of the session. She then took part in wicketkeeping drills before moving on to a full net session, during which she looked in fine touch, confidently taking on the bowlers in the latter stages.

Following Australia’s victory over South Africa in Indore, head coach Shelly Nitschke had expressed optimism about Healy’s return to full fitness before the knockout clash. Healy has been in outstanding form throughout the tournament, amassing 294 runs from just four innings at an impressive average of 98 and a strike rate of 131.25. Her potential comeback ahead of the high-stakes semi-final will be a major boost for the defending champions.

“She wasn't quite up to it tonight, but she'll continue to be assessed. We're really hopeful for the semi-final, but still a few days to play out before that. And we're hopeful again, she'll just continue to be assessed the closer we get to that,” said Nitschke as quoted by ICC.

Healy’s best performance of the tournament came, incidentally, against India, Australia’s upcoming semi-final opponents. She smashed a breathtaking 142 off 107, studded with 21 fours and three sixes, to power Australia to a record victory against India.

In her absence, Tahlia McGrath had led the side admirably, guiding them through the final stages of the group phase. However, the return of skipper Healy ahead of the semi-final in Navi Mumbai on Thursday will provide a significant boost for the defending champions as they aim for another title shot.