Sutherland replaces injured Healy in World T20 clash

Annesha Ghosh | February 19, 2023

Australia have copped an injury concern ahead of their last group game at the T20 World Cup, against South Africa, with Annabel Sutherland coming in for Alyssa Healy, who is out with a quad problem.

The defending champions opted to bowl against the hosts at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Saturday but were without Healy, their leading run-scorer of the group stages, as they looked to nail down a place in the semi-finals.

Cricket Australia said Healy was ruled out “with some left quad awareness following a high workload on return to play from a significant calf injury.”

Beth Mooney will shoulder wicketkeeping responsibilities in Healy’s absence.

Mooney had kept wicket during the Pakistan series at home that preceded the World Cup when Healy was recovering from a calf injury she had sustained during the India tour in December.

The South Africa clash, the second match of Saturday’s double-header at Gqeberha, marks Sutherland’s first appearance at this World Cup.

South Africa have also made a change, with Ayabonga Khaka making way for Masabata Klaas.

The last time the two sides met at a T20 World Cup, Australia snared a five-run, DLS win at the rain-affected semi-final of their victorious campaign at home.

Conditions in Gqeberha have largely been wet through the best part of the day.

Light showers made intermittent appearances during the first match of the day in which England beat India by 11 runs.

Australia: Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Shabnam Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba.