Quantcast

Mooney on track for Test return after fractured jaw

Coming off a nasty jaw injury, the tough opener is pushing to return quicker than many thought possible and is targeting Thursday’s one-off Ashes Test

Beth Mooney is on track to make a surprise return for this week's Test Ashes Test at Manuka Oval, just nine days after undergoing surgery on a fractured jaw.

Mooney went under the knife on Tuesday, after being struck in the nets at Karen Rolton Oval the evening before, and coach Matthew Mott confirming on Sunday the star batter was recovering well.

The Queenslander was spotted facing underarm throwdowns in the Adelaide Oval nets on Friday, and on Sunday, was running laps of the boundary in the rain with the team's physical conditioning coach.

Mooney fractures jaw at training on eve of series

"The last couple of days, the swelling around her face has gone down quite substantially," Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes said on Sunday.

"Just having a bit of a chat with her and checking in with how she's been going, she's feeling really confident.

"She had a hit today and also a run around and she's not in any pain.

"Without a doubt she's definitely got her eye on that Test match in Canberra."

Mooney opened the batting alongside Alyssa Healy in Australia's most recent Test against India last September, but Haynes had been the favourite to the role before being ruled out of the game with a hamstring tear.

"That's a conversation for Meg and Motty to have, but I've certainly been preparing like I will bat in the top order - so facing plenty of the new ball and those sorts of things in preparation for the Test match," Haynes said.

"But I'm happy to bat wherever they need me to."

The loss of Tayla Vlaeminck to a stress fracture in her right foot – affecting the same navicular bone that ended her 2020 T20 World Cup dream and consigned her to 10 months on the sidelines – has cast a sombre mood over the Australian camp.

Haynes 'gutted' for Vlaeminck, hopeful on Mooney

It also raises a selection conundrum for the one-off Test; Mott told ABC radio on Saturday he had intended to play both Vlaeminck and fellow fast bowler Darcie Brown in the match.

If conditions appear suited to pace bowling, Australia could call up Stella Campbell from the Australia A squad; Campbell debuted against India earlier in the summer and earlier this month took 7-25 for New South Wales on a Manuka Oval green top.

"Having watched firsthand the damage she did against the ACT, and just the wicket as well, it had a little bit more bounce and carry than perhaps what we've seen in the past," Haynes, who plays with Campbell for NSW, said.

Campbell rips through Meteors with stellar spell

"I think she'd definitely be coming into calculation ... no doubt they'll be sitting down and having a bit of a discussion on what they think the best makeup is about our side to be able to take 20 wickets – because that's ultimately what we all want to do, we want to be positive and try to win this Test match."

Australia go into the Test with a 4-2 lead following back-to-back T20I washouts, and can retain the urn with victory in the four-day game.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 4-2

Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets

Jan 22: No Result

Jan 23: Match Abandoned without a ball bowled

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval, 10am AEDT, 

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT