Women’s Ashes second T20 washed out as Australia suffer further injury blow

Australia have another Ashes concern with Tayla Vlaeminick added to their injured list, before their second Twenty20 against England was washed out. Just 4.1 overs were possible at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, before a second shower washed away any chance of a result.

It means both sides took one point away from the match, with Australia’s opening nine-wicket thumping of England ensuring they have a 3-1 lead in the series.

But all is not quite rosy for the home side. Vlaeminick’s injury is in the same foot that she suffered a stress fracture in before the 2020 T20 World Cup, ruling her out of the tournament. Australia are uncertain on the seriousness of the current injury, with the world’s fastest bowler to be further assessed over the weekend.

It comes after Australia lost opener Beth Mooney on the eve of the series to a fractured jaw, after copping a ball to the chin in the nets. Mooney has since undergone surgery and was spotted facing underarm throwdowns in the nets on Friday.

Australia are also without frontline spinners Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux through injury, with the former also set to miss the one-day World Cup and Commonwealth Games. Vlaeminick’s injury meanwhile opened the door for fellow quick Darcie Short to come into the team, potentially paving the way for her to keep her Test spot next week.

Australia and England play the final T20 on Sunday, before the multi-format series moves to Canberra for the one-off Test and three ODIs follow.