Last Updated on 11 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Beth Mooney on track for surprise return in Ashes Test | Australia batter Beth Mooney a good chance of playing Test match vs England
Australia star batter Beth Mooney is considered a solid chance of playing the Ashes Test against England starting Thursday. Mooney, who fractured her jaw on the eve of the T20I series, is progressing quicker than expected and is determined to play in the one-off Test against England at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Mooney went under the knife just a week ago. Coach Matthew Mott confirmed on Sunday that she was recovering well, after Mooney was spotted facing throwdowns in the Adelaide Oval nets on Friday.
Also, the left-hander was running laps in the Adelaide rain on Sunday with the physical conditioning coach.
Beth Mooney has “definitely got her eye on that Test match in Canberra”
Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes confirmed that Mooney is practicing and having a run without any pain.
“The last couple of days, the swelling around her face has gone down quite substantially,” said Haynes on Sunday.
“Just having a bit of a chat with her and checking in with how she’s been going, she’s feeling really confident. She had a hit today and also a run around and she’s not in any pain.“
“Without a doubt she’s definitely got her eye on that Test match in Canberra.”
All eyes on Canberra forecast after Adelaide rain ruins T20I series
Australia leads the multi-format Ashes series 4-2 after winning the first T20I courtesy of Tahlia McGrath’s all-round brilliance. However, the second and third matches were washed out due to rain, with just 4.2 overs possible across both games.
Now, all eyes are on the Canberra weather for the four-day Test match. Rain is forecast on days three and four in particular, prompting hopes that the forecast changes in the coming days.
England captain Heather Knight was left frustrated at the weather after the Sydney rain ruined their T20 World Cup hopes in 2020.
“The weather gods don’t like us here, do they,” said Knight.
“I think I’ve had more games in my career rained off in Australia than in England.”
