Rain denies skipper Healy wicketkeeping fitness test

Alyssa Healy made 38 off 33 balls for the Governor's XI but didn't get a chance to keep wicket. (HANDOUT/PHOTOSPORT)

Alyssa Healy's bid to prove her fitness behind the stumps before the start of the Ashes has been thwarted, with Australia's captain denied a chance to wear the gloves in a warm-up match because of rain.

Playing for the Governor General's XI against England in the only Tour game ahead of Sunday's Ashes opener, Healy hit 38 from 33 balls on Thursday before persistent rain ended play at North Sydney Oval.

Healy then took to the field after play to complete some wicketkeeping drills when the rain subsided, but she was denied 50 overs behind the stumps.

Having battled a knee injury since it ruled her out of the WBBL, Healy is expected to play when the multi-format Ashes begin with an ODI at North Sydney on Sunday.

Whether she is able to resume her usual role behind the stumps remains to be seen after she fielded in the outfield during Australia's most recent tour of New Zealand.

Sydney's rain at least stayed away long enough for Georgia Voll to push her selection claims on Thursday, blasting 57 from 42 balls.

Voll
Georgia Voll made 57 of 42 balls to push her case for selection against England in Sunday's ODI.

Voll was the breakout star of the WBBL earlier this summer before making scores of 46 not out, 101 and 26 as an opener against India last month.

The Queenslander was then forced to watch on in Australia's ODIs against New Zealand, left out of the side when Healy returned to the top of the order.

Voll appears destined to again start the Ashes on the sidelines unless selectors make a bold call to pick the 21-year-old ahead of an established star.

If picked, Voll is confident she could perform against the same attack she did on Thursday in an Ashes match.

"I think I'm ready," Voll said. 

"I've been playing domestic cricket for four or five years. Obviously still pretty young, so still got a lot of things to learn. 

"I'd be happy to bat anywhere in that order, but it's a pretty world-class team. So if I need to run drinks, then that's OK too."

Voll could hardly have struck the ball better than she did on Thursday, registering 11 boundaries in her knock.

She hit the ball all around the ground and brought up her 50 off 38 balls when she cut Danielle Gibson for four.

"It's been pretty nice to be able to strike the ball like I have in the last couple of months," Voll said. 

"It's a little bit (frustrating watching on) because you think that you could be out there doing a job as well. 

"But the girls literally smashed New Zealand as well, so it's pretty hard to break in when the girls are doing so well as well."

Aside from limited preparation, the other concern for England was quick Lauren Filer.

Slippery conditions meant she fell over six times in her delivery stride, at one stage prompting her to end an over early and swap ends later in the day.

Spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 3-27 for England, including the wickets of Healy and Voll, before rain ended play with the hosts 8-183 in the 29th over.

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