Australian cricket star Alyssa Healy has been ruled out for the rest of the WBBL 2023 season after undergoing surgery on her right index finger.
Though the Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper is recovering well from the operation, no timeframe has been given for her return to play.
Healy posted a photo of her bandaged hand to Instagram on Sunday during the Sixers match against the Thunder, with the caption: "Appreciate the love. Am at home watching the girls get it done."
Alyssa Healy, Sydney Sixers confirms finger injury
The Sixers announced on Friday that Healy would be managed by Cricket Australia and Cricket New South Wales, with a rehabilitation timeline to be decided in the coming days.
The 33-year-old will support her WBBL side from the sideline as she shifts her focus to recovery.
“This is not the news I was hoping for because I love playing in the WBBL and I love the Sydney Sixers,” Healy said.
“My focus now will be on making a full recovery and returning to play when the time is right.
“I’ll continue to spend time with the Sixers squad and offer any help I can to help the team and the club thrive for the rest of the competition.
"I’ll enjoy being able to watch the WBBL from afar as the tournament continues to go from strength to strength."
What is Alyssa Healy's injury?
While Healy's right index finger surgery has been confirmed, there is no official word on how the injury occurred.
Speaking postgame on Sunday, Sixers captain Elysse Perry said it was a "freak accident" that caused the damage.
"I'm not across what it was. It was something at home," Perry said after a 42-run loss to the Thunder.
"We're just sending lots of thoughts and best wishes to her because she's going to have a recovery period. It would have been a really awful situation."
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When could Alyssa Healy return from injury?
Healy has been ruled out for the entirety of the WBBL season including the final on December 2.
That leaves the door open for the international star to make a return during Australia's three-game T20 series against South Africa running from January 27 to January 30.
Australia will also host the South Africans for a three-game ODI series in early February next year.
