Australia's defense of their Women's Cricket World Cup title has taken a major blow just days before the tournament begins. All rounder Grace Harris has been ruled out of the competition after sustaining a calf strain while fielding during a recent match against India in Delhi. The injury is a particularly tough setback for Harris, who was hoping to make her World Cup debut after being part of the winning squad in 2022 but not featuring in a single game. The 2025 Women's World Cup is being co hosted by India and Sri Lanka and is set to kick off on September 30.

The injury occurred during the third and final ODI of the series against India. Harris, who had been brought into the team as a replacement for the injured Annabel Sutherland, had only just returned to the ODI side after a long absence. Her injury is the latest concern for the Australian team, which has been grappling with a number of player fitness issues in the lead up to the tournament. The defending champions have also seen opener Phoebe Litchfield miss matches with a quad issue and pacer Darcie Brown with back spasms. While the team's medical staff are closely monitoring the fitness of these other key players, Harris’s injury is confirmed, and she will now return home to begin rehabilitation.

Replacing Harris in the 15 player squad will be fellow all rounder Heather Graham. Graham, a fast bowling all rounder from Western Australia, will join the squad in India ahead of their first warm up game. While Graham has limited international experience with just one ODI and five T20Is for Australia, her recent performances in domestic leagues in England, including the T20 Blast and The Hundred, have been impressive. She has proven herself to be a versatile player with both bat and ball, and the team will be hoping she can bring that form to the World Cup.

Grace Harris's absence is a significant loss to the Australian team's depth and versatility. Known for her powerful hitting in the lower order and her handy off spin, she was considered a crucial "X factor" player, particularly on the spin friendly pitches in India. Despite not being a regular in the ODI side, her recent form in the English domestic leagues earned her a spot in the World Cup squad, and the injury is a cruel twist of fate for the talented cricketer. The team's campaign to win a record eighth World Cup title will now have to continue without her, placing added pressure on the remaining squad members to perform.