Alyssa Healy is adamant she will be fine to play in the white-ball Ashes matches after the wicketkeeper revealed she nursed a fractured finger on both hands through Australia's Test win.
A needled-up Healy dropped herself down to No.8 in the order during Australia's second innings on day four, before scoring a counter-attacking 50 to turn the match and set up the 89-run win over England.
It had initially been thought Australia's captain made the call to move down after recording three straight ducks in Test cricket, before she was dropped again on zero on Sunday.
But the 33-year-old opted to come clean with the week-old injury on day five, growing tired of being sledged by England and criticised in the media for batting at No.8.
"It's what happens as a wicketkeeper, you get knocks on the fingers," Healy said.
"Unfortunately for me it was one on each hand and it made it difficult batting and being able to grip the bat, particularly after keeping for 110 overs.
"I had a hit in the nets early (on Sunday). Just to see what I could do after keeping for a while and keeping a lot up to the stumps.
"So I was in a bit of pain out there, but all for a good cause."
Healy suffered the injury in a warm-up game against England A at Leicester last week, before scans confirmed fractures to her left index and right ring fingers.
Australia play England in a Twenty20 at Edgbaston on Saturday, before two other T20s and three ODIs follow.
Australia do have Beth Mooney as a back-up wicketkeeper in their XI if Healy cannot play, while Phoebe Litchfield could open in her spot with Tahlia McGrath made captain.
But asked whether she would be fine to play in the white-ball matches, Healy offered a defiant: "Yes".
The injuries also make Healy's six dismissals and second-innings 50 more remarkable.
After coming to the crease amid a collapse of 6-49, she counter-attacked to give Australia something to bowl at.
Ultimately, it proved crucial, pushing the target set for England from a little over 200 to 268, allowing Australia to build up pressure on the final day and bowl England out for 178.
"I got reminded of (the three straight ducks) quite a bit walking out there and also copping a gobful coming in at No.8," Healy said.
"It probably switched me on a little bit more than what I normally am."
