Batting for survival
THE move of wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy to the top of the order will be put on the backburner for the historic day/ night Test.
Healy was the leading runscorer in the three one- day internationals of the women’s Ashes series but Australian head coach Matthew Mott said it was likely that a different pair would face the new pink ball at North Sydney Oval.
“She will probably slip back into a middle- order role, I’d say,” Mott said.
“We’ve got some good opening options up there, all of which are in play.
“We’ve said all the way through we’ll be going on form and she’s obviously in really good form and I think she’s keeping outstandingly as well.
“She’s a player that will put her hand up but looking at our team balance it’s probably more likely the middle order.”
Healy played a crucial part in getting Australia’s batting innings off to a quick start during the one- day fixtures.
With an ODI strike rate of 94, Healy posted scores of 56 and 71 in the final two matches to relieve some pressure from No. 3 Ellyse Perry and the middle order.
Healy is happy to bat wherever but still has an eye on facing the new ball and will try to use next week’s three- day game against an ACT side in Canberra to push her claims.
“Traditionally the keeper is down the order in a Test match and I’d be more than happy with that,” she said.
“I’ve still got to fight in this three- day game to retain a spot in that Test match side.”
While the position Healy bats is a discussion point, Mott said it was not the most important issue ahead of the Test, which starts on November 9.
“What’s going to get us 20 wickets is probably the first thing we’ve got to think of,” he said. Western Aus tralia’s Marcus Stoinis. Victoria’s Glenn Maxw ell. NSW’s Moises Henriques.