Australia's wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy won't play in the Commbank T20s against Pakistan but will be heading to South Africa for the World Cup
Healy ruled out of Pakistan T20s, all clear for Cup
Alyssa Healy will miss the Commbank T20I series against Pakistan as she continues to recover from a calf injury sustained during Australia’s recent tour of India.
A statement from Cricket Australia confirmed that while Healy will miss the three T20s, she is expected to be available for the upcoming T20 World Cup in February, with the wicketkeeper-batter to travel to South Africa for the showpiece tournament without any match practice under her belt.
Healy, who stood in as Australian captain during Meg Lanning’s absence on Australia's tour to India, will remain with the squad for the series as she continues her rehabilitation.
The absence of Healy at the top of Australia’s feared batting line-up opens the door for Lanning's return – who is back playing cricket after a four-month break – to join Beth Mooney in the opening position.
Mooney is also Australia’s back-up wicketkeeper and will take the gloves in Healy’s absence.
Despite being a regular keeper in the WNCL and WBBL, Mooney has only kept wicket once in her 54 ODIs due to the ever-present Healy, which was against New Zealand in 2016.
Healy's record in world tournaments was enhanced no end at last year's ODI World Cup, where she was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament following successive centuries in the semi-final and final.
Australia will play three ODIs against Pakistan starting in Brisbane on Monday 16 January, before the T20Is get underway in Sydney on Tuesday 24 January.
Australia's first match at the T20 World Cup is against New Zealand on February 12.
CommBank ODI Series
Monday Jan 16:Allan Border Field, Brisbane 10:05am
Wednesday Jan 18:Allan Border Field, Brisbane 10:05am
Saturday Jan 21:North Sydney Oval, 11:05am
Buy #AUSvPAK ODI tickets here
Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland
Pakistan ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz