Australia Women vs India Women Pink-Ball Test: Rachael Haynes Ruled Out Due To Hamstring Injury

Australia women’s team opener Rachael Haynes has been ruled out of the solitary Test match and the T20I series against India. Haynes, who scored an unbeaten 93 in the first ODI against India women’s team in Mackay, suffered a hamstring injury during the third ODI match on Sunday.

Our thoughts are with Rachael Haynes at the moment: Matthew Mott

The 34-year-old was forced to leave the field during the second innings of the match and Australia women’s team head coach Matthew Mott confirmed that the Victoria player won’t be available for the Test match against India.

“Unfortunately her hamstring is no good. She’s devastated — obviously, Test matches don’t come around too often, she’s a key member of our squad so our thoughts are with her at the moment,” Mott was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. 

Beth Mooney to open the innings in place of Rachael Haynes

Beth Mooney, who scored a blistering unbeaten 125 in the second ODI to steal the game away from the visitors, is likely to open the innings alongside Alyssa Healy in the pink-ball Test that starts on Thursday (September 30).

“Beth is pretty good. She was very sensible the other day. She felt something and with all the workload that she has been under, we felt that even after that hundred and the quick turnaround she was a high risk,” Mott said. 

“And she flagged it quite early and I think the medical staff are very comfortable with where she is at. She’ll train today and I expect she will have a pretty light day tomorrow and be ready for the Test,” he added. 

Georgia Wareham, who suffered a quad injury in the second ODI against India, could make her Test debut if she is declared fit. Mott is hopeful for the 22-year-old leg-spinner to make it to the game.

“Georgia’s ticking all the boxes for her return to play. She was very sensible around that — she felt something quite early, got treatment and has been doing everything she can to get it right,” Mott said.

“Personally, I really hope she gets through it after missing out in the last Test we played. She’s a key member; no matter what the wicket serves up, she’s a wicket-taker and she’s an incredibly good thing for this team — she leads the way in the field and her batting is evolving all the time,” he added.

Australian women’s team will host Mithali Raj-led India women’s team for the first time in a pink-ball Test affair at the Carrara Oval in Queensland.

Also Read: Watch: Taniya Bhatia Pulls Off Stunning Stumping To Dismiss Rachael Haynes