Healy sees multi-format series as key to women's Tests

Australia captain Alyssa Healy concedes more women's international red-ball cricket is unlikely on a busy calendar as she prepares to lead her side in a one-off Test in India.

Healy has overcome a bad finger injury to confirm her place in the historic clash at Mumbai's Wankede Stadium, starting on Thursday.

It will be Australia's first Test match since beating England in June and first in India since 1984.

Healy, who was earlier this month appointed the retired Meg Lanning's replacement as Australia captain, is eager to see more women's Test matches played.

But the star wicketkeeper-batter believes multi-format series are crucial to women being able to play the longest form of the game at international level.

Australia's eagerly anticipated tour of India also features three ODIs and three T20s.

It follows India's 347-run destruction of England in a one-off Test, which was preceded by three T20s this month.

"The ability to adapt and adjust to conditions over time I think is really important throughout a series and for us to get a one-off Test match - and you look at the English result as well - it's really hard to take," Healy told reporters on Wednesday.

"It’s kind of one where you can throw it away and say it was really hard and the conditions were difficult, but you didn’t get the chance to adjust for the next Test match and build into the series.

"I'd love to see more (Tests) played but I think the reality of that is it won't happen.

"At the same time, I think if more and more nations around the world are interested in playing the multi-format series, I think it's a great way to get Test cricket back relevant in our game."

Healy missed the entire WBBL after hurting a finger in October while trying to break up a fight between her two dogs.

The 33-year-old has been given the all-clear to resume with the gloves against India but will not open the batting.

Sharma
Indian bowler Deepti Sharma is expected to provide the Australians with an acid spinning test.

Instead, she will feature in the middle order in expected spin-friendly conditions, having watched star spinner Deepti Sharma claim match figures of 9-39 in India's thrashing of England.

"The challenge of facing a lot of spin through the middle will be a really good one," Healy said.

"I'm not too worried about it.

"I think I've got the ability and I've played long enough to be able to adapt to that and just play the role that the team needs."

Healy did not catch a cricket ball between sustaining her freak injury and departing for India but feels well prepared for her return.

"I've been really impressed with how it's come back and how it's handled everything over here," Healy said.

"I've got complete confidence in it again, so I'm looking forward to getting back into a game of cricket."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store