Alyssa Healy, the wicketkeeper and acting captain of Australia, need hand surgery after a dog attack, according to teammate Phoebe Litchfield.
On Sunday, the Sydney Sixers lost to the Sydney Thunder by 42 runs in the Women’s Big Bash League, and Healy was a late withdrawal.
Sixers reported that Healy had hand surgery due to a “domestic accident at home,” but Litchfield, a teammate on Australia’s national team, indicated that Healy was actually attacked by a dog.
Litchfield told Australian channel Fox, “It sounded like a pretty vicious dog attack, and I don’t know if this is public, just a lacerated finger I’m pretty sure, so hopefully she’s alright.”
With her hand bandaged, Healy thanked her fans for “all the love” and said that she will be watching Sunday’s game from home.
The remainder of her WBBL season is in question, according to Cricket Australia’s website.
The Sixers said they will provide an update on her recovery process when appropriate and that they had no plans to replace her.
During longtime captain Meg Lanning’s protracted absence, Healy, the niece of former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy and the wife of Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, has led the national women’s side.
Australia’s women’s team, captained by Healy, successfully defended the Ashes in England in July.