Australia captain Healy ‘finds it hard to see’ Women’s T20 World Cup going ahead in Bangladesh
Alyssa Healy, Australia’s captain, has stated that hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh feels like the “wrong thing” as the country continues to deal with the ramifications of the recent turmoil that resulted in hundreds of fatalities and the overthrow of the government.
The ICC is set to make a decision on where to host the tournament this week, with the UAE seen as the favourite after the BCCI denied a request.
Sri Lanka is another alternative, while Zimbabwe has surfaced as a potential late-stage solution.
The Australian government, like the United Kingdom and India, has issued travel warnings for Bangladesh.
“I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling,” Healy said.
“They’re needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying.”
“I’d find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do. But I’ll leave it to the ICC to work out.”
Allrounder Sophie Molineux told reporters on Sunday that players had been kept informed on recent events.
“We’ve been [in] chats with Cricket Australia and they’re doing a lot of work with the ICC, and we’ve got full faith that they’ll come up with the right decision for everyone.”
Australia will announce its World Cup squad next Monday, and Healy is convinced they will be able to adjust to whichever country hosts.
They viewed their visit to Bangladesh earlier this year, where they played three ODIs and three T20Is, as an important fact-finding mission.
“I feel like we’re so well balanced in the…players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we’re going to have the right squad to take it on,” Healy said.
“We’re obviously blessed we got to Bangladesh and got a taste of those conditions. But wherever we get put, we’ll be ready to adapt.”
It is predicted that Australia will pick a settled squad.
Darcie Brown, a fast bowler who missed the Bangladesh tour due to a stress fracture in her foot, will be available after spending the winter rehabilitating.
Molineux (rib) and Grace Harris (calf strain) were both ruled out of the Hundred due to injury, but neither is considered a significant doubt for the World Cup.
Jess Jonassen was a big departure from Bangladesh’s previous roster, and she is unlikely to be able to return for the World Cup unless injuries occur, with Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, and Ashleigh Gardner as spin options.
The World Cup squad will also play three T20Is against New Zealand in September to prepare for the competition.
