‘She's progressing really well for the summer’ - Alyssa Healy opens up on Meg Lanning’s potential return to national team

Australia's stand-in captain Alyssa Healy opened up on regular skipper Meg Lanning’s potential comeback to the national team during the series against the West Indies in October. Notably, Lanning withdrew from the squad prior to the Women’s Ashes 2023 citing ‘medical reasons’ which required management from home.

Since then, Cricket Australia (CA) named Alyssa Healy to fill in as the skipper of the side while Tahlia McGrath was named her deputy. While the exact nature of Lanning’s medical issue was not disclosed, Healy, in a recent interview, stated that the former is recuperating well and is likely to make her way back into the national team ahead of the series against the Windies. 

"I've spoken to her (Meg Lanning) in bits and pieces but I left her alone during the Ashes because it would have been tough for her to watch. I haven't seen her just yet but from all reports she's going really well. I look forward to hopefully seeing her back in Aussie colours in October against the Windies,” Healy was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I'm always hopeful (of her return), and I think the whole country is hopeful of that, but that's a decision not for me. Hopefully she's playing some cricket really soon. From all reports, she's progressing really well for the summer,” she added.

I'll happily step aside and support her: Alyssa Healy

Healy further added that she would be ready to step aside from her role as the skipper when Lanning makes her comeback to the national team. Australia will engage in a multi-format series against the Windies which includes three T20Is and as many ODIs, scheduled to kickstart on October 1.

“Meg is the captain of the Australian women's cricket team, and I'm fully aware of that fact. I've just been doing my job as best as I can for the group, but that's a decision and a conversation for Meg to have. We want her to be fit and firing first and foremost, and if that means coming back and taking charge of the team then I'll happily step aside and support her in the best way I know how,” she concluded.