Batting mainstay Alyssa Healy has said that Australia will need to overcome the spin challenge significantly if they want to win the World Cup for an unprecedented eighth time in the Indian subcontinent.
The Southern Stars are hoping to hold onto the championship they won in New Zealand in 2022, and the outstanding batter-wicketkeeper will be the one to watch out for when the main event starts in India and Sri Lanka next month.
In the third one-dayer in Brisbane, Healy gave a sneak peek at what to anticipate in the world tournament by smashing an undefeated 137 as Australia A defeated India A by nine wickets.
Healy was the top run scorer in the opener’s role, despite Australia A losing the series 1-2.
She had scored 91 in the previous match, once again showcasing her dominance against the India A spin attack featuring Radha Yadav, Minnu Mani, Tanuja Kanwar, and Prema Rawat, who were rested for the inconsequential game.
“They’ve (India A) got a really spin-heavy attack and we’re going to have to play a lot of that throughout the World Cup as well, a lot of the middle overs will be spin-biased,” Healy told cricket.com.au.
On Sunday, Australia A showed greater resolve by chasing down a modest 217-run mark for the loss of just one wicket, making a joke of the spin attack and finishing the match in less than 28 overs.
Healy’s performance on Sunday, according to Australia A coach Dan Marsh, puts her in a strong position going into the World Cup in India.
“Alyssa batted well today. All pre-season she’s been looking good and it was just nice to see her get some match practice and put that into place heading into India,” Marsh said.
“She’ll be really happy with her two weeks (with Australia A), will have a nice little rest at home now and be ready to go to India,” added Marsh.
