Grace Harris Ruled Out of Women’s World Cup, Heather Graham In

Australia’s all-rounder Grace Harris has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka after sustaining a calf strain during the third ODI against India on September 20. The injury came in what was Harris’s first ODI appearance since March 2024, marking a disappointing setback for the player eager to make her mark on the global stage.

Harris will return home to focus on recovery and rehabilitation ahead of the Women’s Big Bash League, which starts on November 9. Heather Graham has been named as her replacement and will join the Australian squad after representing Western Australia in the Women’s National Cricket League matches scheduled for September 24 and 25.

Though Harris was part of Australia’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, she did not play in any games during that tournament. Despite limited appearances in ODIs, she earned her spot in the 2025 World Cup squad through stellar performances in England’s domestic circuit. Harris starred for Surrey in the T20 Blast, scoring 338 runs in 12 innings at a striking rate of 156, including an unbeaten 63 off 33 balls in the final. She also impressed in the Women’s Hundred, where she amassed 214 runs at an impressive strike rate of 174 for London Spirit.

Harris was drafted into the playing XI for the third ODI after Annabel Sutherland was sidelined with hip soreness. The Australia squad now prepares for a four-day break in Bengaluru before taking on England in a warm-up game scheduled for September 28.

Heather Graham, a fast bowling all-rounder with six international appearances and nine wickets, has also enjoyed strong spells in England’s domestic competitions. In the T20 Blast, she scored 186 runs and took six wickets, followed by 70 runs and seven wickets in the Women’s Hundred.

Australia’s squad for the Women’s World Cup 2025 remains strong with players like captain Alyssa Healy, Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, and others set to defend their title starting with a match against New Zealand on October 1.

                                               

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