Aussies’ huge World Cup blow as skipper left racing the clock for semi-final after training injury

Australia’s superstar skipper Alyssa Healy will miss the blockbuster ODI World Cup clash with England, and potentially more, after suffering an injury at training.

Beth Mooney will take the gloves in Healy’s place after she suffered a calf injury on Saturday, heading into Wednesday’s showdown with the only other unbeaten team in the tournament.

Healy has been spectacular with scores of 142 against India and 113 not out against Bangladesh.

Both Australia and England are locked into the semi-finals, having both won four matches and had one no result, but will not know their opponents in the last four until after Sunday’s final two group games.

South Africa looms as the most likely opponent for whoever finishes second with India and New Zealand also in the mix.

Healy will be racing the clock to play in Australia’s semi-final, which would be played on October 29 or 30.

Alyssa Healy of Australia is congratulated by team mate Phoebe Litchfield after reaching her century during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between Australia and Bangladesh at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on October 16, 2025 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Tahlia McGrath will captain the side in Healy’s absence with Georgia Voll likely to open.

Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Jonathan Taylor: "IJonathan Taylor: "I'm Here to Dominate, Win Games, and Prove Why I'm the Most Dangerous Weapon in the League"'m Here to Dominate, Win Games, and Prove Why I'm the Most Dangerous Weapon in the League"

"I’m not here for the MVP talk—I’m here to dominate, win games, and prove every week why I’m the most dangerous weapon in the league. As long as I stay healthy, this team is going all the way." — Jonathan Taylor, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are currently 6-1, holding the top seed in the AFC, and their success this season can be attributed largely to the explosive playmaking of Jonathan Taylor

. While quarterback Daniel Jones has garnered attention for his resurgence, it’s Taylor who has been the true star, dominating on the ground and in the air, making a strong case for the

NFL MVP.

Taylor is having a career year, racking up 697 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and 23 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. He’s leading the

NFL in rushing and is the league’s most dangerous weapon in the backfield. As Taylor said, he’s focused on domination, not the MVP conversation—"I’m here to dominate, win games, and prove every week why I’m the most dangerous weapon in the league."

Taylor’s Historic Impact on the Colts' Offense

The Colts offense is built around the power running game, and Taylor has been the centerpiece. With the Colts' offensive line opening holes for him, Taylor’s ability to break through defenses has been remarkable. Not only is he

leading the NFL in rushing, but he’s also leading in yards per game (99.6) and first downs (37). His ability to break long runs—five 20+ yard runs
and two 40+ yard runs—has made him an irreplaceable asset in the Colts’ offensive system.

MVP Frontrunner: Taylor’s Case

Typically, the MVP award goes to the quarterback of the

best team. But this season, with no standout quarterback, Jonathan Taylor has emerged as a legitimate MVP contender. He is the best offensive player on the best team
through the first seven games of the season, and his dominance on the field makes him a strong contender for the coveted award.

In the last 20 years, only three running backs have won the MVP:

Shaun Alexander (2005), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), and Adrian Peterson (2012). Jonathan Taylor could become the next in that line, especially with the Colts’ success and the lack of a dominant quarterback
this season.

Colts’ Success and Taylor’s Future

As long as Taylor stays healthy, the Colts are positioned to continue their success. He is the key player for the Colts’ offense

, and his dominance has been the driving force behind their 6-1 record. If Taylor keeps up his production, the Colts could make a deep playoff run, with Taylor

leading the charge.

While the MVP award is nice, for Taylor, it’s about winning games and proving every week why he’s the most dangerous running back in the league. With his current performance, there’s no question that

Taylor is one of the most dynamic and influential players in the NFL.

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