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Australia and UP Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy has officially withdrawn from the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 due to a stress injury in her right foot. The star wicketkeeper-batter has been struggling with injuries over the past year, and this latest setback raises concerns about her long-term playing career.
The upcoming third edition of the WPL will be played across four cities – Vadodara, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Mumbai—from February 14 to March 15. However, Healy, who led the UP Warriorz in the first two seasons, will not be a part of the tournament this time around. Her absence is a major blow to the team, considering her vast experience and leadership skills.
Alyssa Healy’s injury struggles: A timeline of setbacks
Healy’s injury issues date back to October 2024, when she suffered a torn plantar fascia during the T20 World Cup. The foot injury forced her to miss a couple of crucial games, including Australia’s semifinal clash against South Africa. Following this, she endured a knee injury, which kept her out of a significant portion of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and the home ODI series against India.
When Australia toured New Zealand for an ODI series, Healy played but was limited to a batting-only role to ensure she was fit for the Ashes ODIs. During the one-off Ashes Test, she once again played as a specialist batter, handing over wicketkeeping duties to Beth Mooney. While she returned to her wicketkeeping role in the Ashes ODIs, she had already missed the T20I series and several key fixtures earlier in the season. Now, with a recurring stress injury in her right foot, Healy has been ruled out of the WPL 2025, extending her injury layoff even further.
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UP Warriorz react to Healy’s withdrawal from WPL 2025
The Warriorz franchise officially confirmed Healy’s absence on their social media handle on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the loss of their captain. Their statement read:
“Captain @ahealy77 has opted out of the upcoming #TATAWPL due to a foot injury. While she won’t be donning the Yellow and Purple this season, she’ll always be a Warrior. The #WarriorzSena will miss her, but we know she’ll be cheering from afar. Wishing you a speedy recovery!”
📢 Captain @ahealy77 has opted out of the upcoming #TATAWPL due to a foot injury.
While she won’t be donning the Yellow and Purple this season, she’ll always be a Warrior. The #WarriorzSena will miss her, but we know she’ll be cheering from afar. Wishing you a speedy recovery,… pic.twitter.com/jS9KWnSw2L
— UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) February 1, 2025
This announcement comes as a significant setback for the UP Warriorz, who heavily relied on Healy’s leadership. Over the past two seasons, she played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s strategy and guiding them through intense WPL campaigns.
A big loss for Women’s Premier League
Healy’s withdrawal from the WPL 2025 comes just days after another star cricketer, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, announced an indefinite break from domestic cricket. Losing two senior international players significantly impacts the overall star power of the league, as both Healy and Devine have been crucial figures in women’s franchise cricket.
For the Warriorz, Healy’s absence will not only affect their batting lineup but also their strategic depth and leadership dynamics. The team will now have to rely on alternative leadership options while hoping for a strong replacement signing. As the WPL 2025 nears, all eyes will be on the Warriorz’ next move – who will replace Healy, and more importantly, who will be entrusted with the captaincy
Also READ: Women’s Premier League: Complete schedule for WPL 2025; Royal Challengers Bengaluru will battle Gujarat Giants in the opener
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
