Alyssa Healy: “It’s hard to believe that the T20 World Cup is taking place in Bangladesh”

Alyssa Healy: “It’s hard to believe that the T20 World Cup is taking place in Bangladesh”

Australia captain Alyssa Healy said it felt “wrong” to host the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent violence that left hundreds dead and toppled the government.

In addition to the Australian government, the UK and India have also issued warnings against travel to Bangladesh.

“I really can’t stand the fact that there’s a cricket event going on there at the moment, taking resources away from a country that’s really in need,” Healy said. “They need everyone they can get to help those who are dying.”

“I can’t really imagine playing there at the moment. As a human being, I feel like that might be wrong. But I’ll leave it to the ICC to sort that out.”

On Sunday, all-rounder Sophie Molineux said the players had been kept updated.

“We have spoken to Cricket Australia and they work a lot with the ICC. We have full confidence that they will make the right decision for everyone.”

Australia will announce its squad for the World Cup next Monday and Healy is confident the team can adapt to the host nation. The tour of Bangladesh earlier this year, where the team played three ODIs and three T20Is, was an important fact-finding mission for the team.

“I think we’re so balanced in our selection of players, no matter where the World Cup is, I think we’ll have the right team to do it,” Healy said. “We’re obviously glad we’ve come to Bangladesh and got a taste of those conditions. But no matter where we go, we’ll be ready to adapt.”

Australia are expected to field a solid squad, with fast bowler Darcie Brown expected to be available after spending the winter recovering from a stress fracture in her foot that kept her out of the Bangladesh tour. Molineux (rib) and Grace Harris (calf strain) were also recently ruled out of the Hundred through injury, but both are considered serious doubts to take part in the World Cup.

Jess Jonassen was significantly absent from Bangladesh’s previous squad and will struggle to get back into the squad for the World Cup unless she gets injured, with Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner the replacements. The World Cup squad will also play the three T20Is against New Zealand in September as preparation for the tournament.

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