NEWS
Follow UsAustralia Women won their third game on the trot in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 after defeating Pakistan by nine wickets, with nine overs remaining in their chase.
However, they had an unfortunate day in terms of injuries. First, a question mark was added over the fitness of express pacer Tayla Vlaeminck after she dislocated her shoulder on the fourth ball of the day itself when she ran to the boundary to stop an edge from Muneeba Ali’s bat from reaching the boundary.
While running back and sliding to stop the ball, Vlaeminck’s knee got stuck in the turf first, and she landed awkwardly on her shoulder. She tumbled across the boundary and lay on the ground in agony as the medical support staff of the Australian team surrounded her.
Their injury woes increased further after skipper Alyssa Healy started hobbling while taking a run in the 10th over of the chase. She walked off right after that, and the statement released by Cricket Australia on her said, “Alyssa sustained an acute right foot injury while running between wickets. Once we have more information based on her assessment and scans tomorrow, her availability for the remainder of the tournament will be clearer.”
Healy didn’t even attend the post-match presentation, where vice-captain Tahlia McGrath said the injuries made her feel “heartbroken.”
“Damage needs to be assessed [on Healy’s injury]. It has been a big day for us, but heartbroken for the two girls [Vlaeminck and Healy],” McGrath said.
“She [Vlaeminck] has had a really tough run of injuries; heartbroken for her, we will rally around her and see what we can do. It was really important, and we love Tay [Vlaeminck], and it was pretty hard to watch, to be honest. To come together as a group after that and it was very important to refocus and regroup.”
Australia had a game to remember with the ball at Sharjah, especially Ash Gardner, who took four wickets for just 21 runs and will be on a hattrick the next time she steps on the field.
“We just thought these conditions were best to chase on, a little bit different to Sharjah,” McGrath remarked.
“Our bowlers have been unreal the whole tournament, [Megan] Schutt set the tone early on, Ash followed it up and Midge [Healy] was outstanding with the bat. Big meeting, going through the stats and exciting to get over here and I thought we played really well.”
Meanwhile, allrounder Ash Gardner is gearing up for the Indian challenge that awaits Australia on Sunday, October 13.
“Big challenge against India next. They will challenge us and certainly will challenge me personally. We have good battles against them recently,” Gardner said.
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