Meg Lanning shares key update on Alyssa Healy ahead of semi clash against India

Healy missed the final group game against South Africa after her Player of the Match showing against Sri Lanka.

The wicketkeeper batter, who is among the top five run-scorers this tournament, sat the game out with a quad injury, but Lanning expects her to be available for the semi-final game.

"We've got a full squad," Lanning said at the press conference.

"Alyssa Healy is fit and available, which is great for us. She's had a great tournament so far and is going to play an important role. So that's nice, but it does make it pretty difficult to get it down to XI".

Up against India, one team that the Aussies have taken on quite a lot recently, Lanning feels that while the familiarity is there, in T20 cricket, there could still be unexpected elements thrown into the mix.

"I feel like anything can happen," Lanning said. "And we understand that pretty well. But we're as planned as we can be in terms of their individuals and their sort of team style of play.

"But you can't predict what's going to happen. So, we need to be able to adapt and sort of play what's in front of us. I think that's really important in coming with all the plans that you want.

"But if you're not able to adapt at the time and change with sort of what's happening, then I think that's when you get into trouble. So, we feel like we're in a good position to be able to do that if we need to. But yeah, as I said, T20 cricket can change very, very quickly.

"And we know that, and we know that we have to be on our game for the whole 40 overs. So that's the challenge that we've got because we know India are a great team.

"And if we don't bring that, then they'll certainly be allowed to play some good cricket. So, we're excited about the challenge."

The Australian skipper stressed that this was a strong Indian side and that it elevates the challenge that awaits the five-time champions.

"I think that they've shown that they're not relying on one or two players. They've got some great depth as well. So, for us as a team, we've had to prepare for all their players to do well.

"And sometimes it's not going to be your day. But as long as someone steps up, then that's the most important thing. And that's what they've shown to be able to do.

"They've really created that real strong group of players who have played a lot of cricket together now. And they're able to deliver. So, we know they're strong. And that sort of just makes the challenge even greater and something we look forward to."

Meanwhile, India are pumped up for the big final with wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh insisting that despite the evident strength of this Aussie team, India can still beat them.

"We can beat Australia, it’s not that we can't beat them, because we did it in the last series in India and we did it before as well," Richa reminded the reporters ahead of the semi-final.

She, however, kept the cards close to her chest in terms of what India have planned to outdo the Aussies.

"We have worked out the weak spots and planned for that too. But if we share the weak points, they will obviously be ready. So, I don't want them to be prepared for anything right now and help them get any information."

Since the big final between these teams at the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup, Australia have lost only three of their 26 completed T20Is.

One of those came against India in Mumbai in December last year after the Aussies lost the one-over eliminator of a tied game. India will have a massive task on their hands as they take the mighty Aussies on in the big semi-final on Thursday.