Australia lost Tayla Vlaeminck to a foot injury before rain ruined the second Ashes T20I at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Just 4.1 overs were possible before umpires called off the match – England openers Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont reaching 0-25 in that time – with the teams taking one point apiece.
The game had already been reduced to 14 overs a side following a delayed start.
More concerning for Australia is the injury to Vlaeminck’s right foot.
The fast bowler was spotted wearing a ‘moon boot’ on Saturday ahead of the game, and it is the same foot Vlaeminck suffered a stress fracture in before the 2020 T20 World Cup, an injury that ruled her out not only of the ICC tournament, but the 10 months that followed.
A statement from Cricket Australia said the 23-year-old Victorian was being assessed, with updates to follow, and the Australia camp will be desperately hoping it is not a recurrence of that same injury to the navicular bone.
“It (came) out of the first game and we’re still assessing how it is and what exactly is going on,” captain Meg Lanning said post-game.
“So we will know a little bit more over the next few days, but it’s obviously not ideal.
“Tay puts on a pretty brave face … I had a chat to her today and it’s hard to get a read on at the moment and we’ll know a little more information over the next day or so.”
The third Ashes T20I will be played on Sunday, but the outlook appears equally grim with 5-20mm of rain forecast to fall on the South Australian capital.
The one-off Test begins at Manuka Oval on January 27.
Vlaeminck missed Australia’s one-off Test against India earlier in the summer following an achilles complaint.
Australia are already missing three key players with leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (ACL), left-arm orthodox bowler Sophie Molineux (foot) and batter Beth Mooney (jaw) all sidelined by injury.
Mooney, who underwent surgery on a fractured jaw on Tuesday, was back in the Adelaide Oval nets on Friday facing gentle throwdowns.
Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes v England
Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck
England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt
Australia lead the multi-format series 2-0
Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets
Jan 22: Second T20, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm AEDT
Jan 23: Third T20, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm AEDT
Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval, 10am AEDT,
Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT
Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT
Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT
Australia A v England A
Australia A squad: Georgia Redmayne (c), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns (OD only), Stella Campbell, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Heather Graham, Phoebe Litchfield, Katie Mack (OD only), Courtney Sippel, Molly Strano (OD only), Elyse Villani, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington
England A squad: Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong
Jan 20: Australia A won by three wickets
Jan 21: Australia A won by 10 wickets
Jan 23: Third T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, 10am AEDT
Jan 28: First OD, Philip Oval, Canberra, 10am AEDT