Defending champions Australia have replaced injured pacer Tayla Vlaeminck with Heather Graham ahead of the ICC Women' T20 World Cup 2024 group stage clash against India on October 13. Vlaeminck dislocated her shoulder while trying to save a boundary against Pakistan on October 11 in the first over of the match. She has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.
There is no official word on captain Alyssa Healy who injured her right foot and hobbled off the pitch with the help of the physio towards the end of the run chase against Pakistan. Both Healy and Vlaeminck underwent scans on October 12.
Vlaeminck's replacement Graham has played five T20Is for Australia. She has eight wickets to her name in T20Is including a four-wicket haul for just eight runs against India in 2022.
Who will keep wickets if Healy skips India game
If Healy does not recover before the match against India, her opening partner Beth Mooney is likely to keep wickets.
Australia’s Women T20 World Cup updated squad –
Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Alana King, Grace Harris, Kim Garth, Heather Graham
India vs Australia head-to-head in T20 World Cup
Australia and India have went up against each other six times in the T20 World Cup history. India have won twice whereas six-time champions Australia have won the remaining games. The last time they locked horns, it was a nail-biting affair with Australia beating India by five runs in the semifinal of the previous edition.
Australia almost confirmed semifinal spot
Before the clash against India, Australia sit comfortably on top with three consecutive wins over Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan. Even if they lose to Harmanpreet Kaur-led India, their net run rate (NRR) is likely to take them ahead in the tournament. Their NRR is +2.786, way ahead of India (+0.576) and New Zealand (+0.282).
