Tahlia McGrath to lead Australia side in women's ODI vs India in Healy's absence

Veteran all-rounder Tahlia McGrath will lead the Australian women's side against India in regular skipper Alyssa Healy's absence in the three-match ODI series next month.

In Short

• Tahlia McGrath to captain Australia in ODIs against India.
• Alyssa Healy misses India series due to knee injury
• Georgia Voll makes debut in Australia squad for India series

Veteran all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was named as the captain of the 13-member Australian women's side against India in regular skipper Alyssa Healy's absence in the three-match ODI series next month. The 34-year-old Alyssa has been troubled by a knee injury, which had ruled her out during the fag end of the Women's Big Bash League and also forced her to skip the ODI series against India, beginning in Brisbane on December 5.

Queensland and Sydney Thunder batter Georgia Voll has been included in her first Australia squad with captain Alyssa Healy to miss the India series due to a knee injury. Voll has had a stellar start to the summer with the bat and currently sits in the top three run scorers in the Weber WBBL and Women's National Cricket League. The 21-year-old has scored four half-centuries across both tournaments, including scores of 98, 97 and 92.

Australia will play three One-Day Internationals against India from 5-11 December in Brisbane and Perth, with three ODIs against T20 world champions New Zealand to follow from 19-23 December in Wellington. All six matches form part of the ICC Women's Championship, with Australia currently sitting first in the standings.

Cricket Australia's Head of Performance (Women's Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said: "We've chosen an experienced squad for these two upcoming tours with next year's Ashes series and ICC Women's World Cup very much very much the focus. "Georgia Voll has had a strong start to the summer and has shown her potential over several years.

"She'll form an exciting partnership with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order in what will be a great opportunity for her to get a taste of international cricket against a strong India side. "The decision for Alyssa Healy to miss the India series was made with a longer-term view to the Ashes, with her availability for the New Zealand series to become clearer over the next few weeks.

"Tahlia McGrath impressed as captain in tough conditions during the World Cup and will have strong support from Ash Gardner who has developed into a strong leader within the side, both on and off the field. "India is an extremely dangerous side, and New Zealand will be full of confidence following their World Cup win, so we're in for some entertaining cricket across both series."

Commenting on the injuries to Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown during the WBBL, Australian Women's Team Physiotherapist, Kate Beerworth said:

"Sophie has returned to play following knee soreness which will continue to be managed over the course of the summer. Darcie has resumed training following a hip muscle strain and is on track for both series." Commenting on Tayla Vlaeminck's shoulder injury, Beerworth said: "Tayla underwent right shoulder stabilisation surgery last week and is unavailable for the remainder of the 2024/25 season."

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham (India Series only); Alyssa Healy (New Zealand series only).