Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy will miss next month’s T20 tour of New Zealand, with back-up wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum called in for her first international tour.
After battling knee and foot injuries since midway through last year, Healy has been left on ice for the series as she attempts to regain full fitness for October’s ODI World Cup.
Australia has traditionally used Beth Mooney as a wicketkeeper in Healy’s absence, and her permanent selection in the side means few changes to the XI need to be made.
But selectors have opted to include Faltum in the 14-woman squad, with the 25-year-old Victorian having long been considered a next-in-line talent.
“It’s exciting to be able to bring Nicole into the squad. She’s been a consistent performer over a long period of time,” chief selector Shawn Flegler said.
“(She) will provide a strong back-up option to Beth, who will take the gloves during the series.
“While Beth was brilliant during the Ashes in Alyssa’s absence, it’s important we’re continuing to look to the future and Nicole is certainly someone who we can see wearing the green and gold for a long period of time.”
Healy’s absence means Tahlia McGrath will again captain the side, with Ashleigh Gardner her deputy when the series begins at Eden Park on March 21.
The veteran Healy had to overcome foot issues to play last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, but they recurred midway through the tournament.
Healy missed Australia’s semifinal defeat to South Africa, while New Zealand went on to be crowned world champions.
The 34-year-old returned in the WBBL but later succumbed to a knee issue.
That ruled her out of a home ODI series against India, before she returned as a batter only for an ODI series in New Zealand last December.
She was cleared to resume wicketkeeping at the start of the Ashes, but missed the three T20s in the middle of the series as the foot problems again re-emerged.
Healy played the Test as a batter only as Australia clean-swept the series, and has since opted out of the lucrative Women’s Premier League in India.
“Alyssa is unavailable for this series due to the foot injury she sustained during the Ashes,” Flegler said.
“She’s working diligently on her rehab with the aim to have her fit for the one-day World Cup later in the year.”
Australia women’s squad for T20 series in New Zealand
Tahlia McGrath (captain), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
AAP
