With just nine days left of what otherwise has been a super-smooth World Cup title defence in the UAE, the champions are suddenly facing a dispiriting double blow with both skipper Alyssa Healy and quick Tayla Vlaeminck stricken on the day Australia, ironically, all but cruised into the semi-finals in Dubai.
Still unbeaten after their nine-wicket stroll over Pakistan, the squad were left fearful over whether they'll lose leader Healy, who's taken the reins so brilliantly from previous skipper Meg Lanning this year, after suffering what was described as an "acute right foot injury" while running during her match-winning innings.
Wishing the best to Tayla Vlaeminck after she left the field following a brilliant save near the boundary.— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) #AUSvPAK #T20WorldCup #WhateverItTakes https://t.co/bEEF5xX4gkOctober 11, 2024
More than that, they have to recover from the shock and dismay of watching much-admired fast bowler Vlaeminck suffer yet another cruel blow in her comeback tournament, as she succumbed to a shoulder dislocation while fielding and even before she got a chance to bowl.
"Quite a bit's happened tonight so it's staying together as a group and staying really close," shrugged player of the match Ash Gardner, as the team were left frantically working on how they'll rejig for Sunday's marquee final-group match with India.
"Obviously a couple of our mates have been injured and we certainly want to take them into consideration with how we progress into the next game.
"There's certainly going to have to be changes, that's pretty obvious, but I think as a whole unit it's making sure that we stick together.
"They're our mates at the end of the day, so making sure their well-being is put first, and then we have to switch pretty quickly into that India game, it's certainly going to be a challenge."
Asked if she felt Australia would lift a fourth straight T20 crown in the same stadium a week on Sunday, Gardner was adamant: "Definitely. I think it's just believing in each other, believing in yourself, and just backing our strengths.
"We've just got each other's backs and we celebrate each other's success which, ultimately, in a team sport, is a massive help."
Vlaeminck's latest injury, after previously having her potentially brilliant career interrupted by knee, foot and shoulder injuries, left her teammates particularly saddened as they all knew how hard the 25-year-old had worked to get back to full fitness.
"It's obviously horrible seeing one of your mates go down and knowing Tay's road to get back to here. She's someone that probably works harder than anyone else I know," said Gardner.
"So we all really felt for her. There were people that were obviously emotional and I think that just shows the care that we have for our teammates and especially Tay.
"Unlucky things happen and then you just kind of got to get on with it and wait until after the game just to make sure that Tay was okay - and she's in good spirits which is nice to see."
Australia's captain is a significant injury concern for the defending champions.— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) #AUSvPAK #T20WorldCup #WhateverItTakes https://t.co/ruiOqEQp0AOctober 11, 2024
With Australia's remarkable bowling strength, though, a sidelined Vlaeminck would not be as calamitous as losing world-beating wicketkeeper-opener Healy, who hammered a quickfire 37 in pursuit of Pakistan's paltry 82 before retiring hurt, who was brilliant with the gloves and who led with her usual smiling swagger.
Beth Mooney could take over as keeper if needed while vice-captain McGrath already sounded as if she was expecting to take the reins on Sunday.
"The thing about this Australian side is how much depth we've got. Captaincy, wicketkeeping-batting, we've got so much depth ... yep, time to use it," she said.
