Captain Healy not guaranteed to 'keep in women's Ashes

Allrounder Sophie Molineux has been slowed down by injury again, just weeks after winning the WBBL. (Hamish Blair/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia captain Alyssa Healy wants to return to keeping duties for the upcoming women's Ashes but a niggling knee injury could stand in her way.

Healy played as a batter-only during the ODI series in New Zealand after resting for earlier games against India.

The 34-year-old is trying to get to full-fitness ahead of England's arrival for the series in Australia, starting next month.

“(I'm) in the Governor-General’s squad and that will be a great opportunity for me to take the gloves and see how everything is progressing,” Healy told reporters on Saturday.

“It’s kind of play it by ear at the moment to see how everything pulls up, but I did enjoy running around the field in New Zealand, so if that’s the option and it’s less disruptive to our side, then that could be the way moving forward.

“... the real test will be in the next 10 days moving into the series, as to how that (knee) pulls up, how that responds to me keeping again."

Meanwhile, luckless allrounder Sophie Molineux will undergo knee surgery and has been ruled out of the Ashes defence.

Molineux, who captained the Melbourne Renegades to the WBBL title last month, is the biggest name missing from Australia's 13-player squad for the three ODIs of the multi-format series against England.

Hard-hitting batter Grace Harris will be added to the squad for the T20s.

Molineux missed the ODI series in New Zealand, with Australia confirming the 26-year-old would have surgery next month.

The left-arm spinner, who is a handy lower-order batter, has endured a number of injuries and health challenges throughout her stop-start career.

Sophie Molineux.
Sophie Molineux appeals during a recent ODI against India at the WACA Ground.

Exciting batter Georgia Voll was a revelation against India earlier this month on debut when she filled in for Healy, earning herself an Ashes berth.

"We’re pleased with how the side performed in recent series against India and New Zealand and are confident we have a balanced squad capable of retaining the Ashes," Cricket Australia’s women's boss and selector Shawn Flegler said.

"It was pleasing to see Alyssa Healy return to action against New Zealand and looked in good touch, along with a number of batters continuing their strong form on from the recent series against India.

"Whilst Georgia Voll didn’t play against New Zealand, she’s made a brilliant start to her international career and will be a strong option with the bat if required in her debut Ashes series."

Georgia Voll.
Georgia Voll blasts one to the legside boundary against India at Allan Border Field.

The first ODI is on January 12 at North Sydney Oval.

Australia will wait longer to name their squad for the day-night Test at the MCG, starting on January 30.

AUSTRALIA: Alyssa Healy, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

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