Australia are hopeful they will have legspinner Alana King at their disposal for the final day of the tight Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, as she fights to recover from a blow to her elbow.
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King was hit on the elbow by England speedster Lauren Filer shortly before tea on day four, during a crucial 59-run eighth-wicket partnership with Alyssa Healy.
The 27-year-old batted on, but did not return to the field once England began batting and finished the day 5-116 in pursuit of 268.
"She took a bit of a blow there for the team," teammate Beth Mooney said.
"We're just sitting her on the side icing her up. I am sure she will be back on tomorrow ready to bowl and get back into the contest."
While bowlers are usually restricted from bowling once returning to the field for the amount of time they were off, King is exempt from that rule as her injury is from an external blow.
King's bowling would be valuable for Australia, given the success spinners have had once the ball softens in this match on a wearing wicket.
Sophie Ecclestone claimed five wickets in each innings for the fourth 10-wicket haul by an English woman, while Ashleigh Gardner turned the game late on day four with her 3-33 after taking 4-99 in the first innings.
Australia are also unconcerned by wicketkeeper and captain Healy's battered fingers, after a ball thudded into the end of her glove off Kim Garth late in the day.
It comes after Healy also suffered a sore finger in the warm-up match against Australia A last week and did not bat in the second innings, ahead of the multi-format Ashes tour.
Mooney can keep wickets for Australia if required, but she was confident that would not be required.
"If someone else has to (keep wicket), it's me and I hope it's not," Mooney quipped.
"I think Midge (Healy) will be fine. She has kept the house down on this wicket. It has been deteriorating pretty rapidly.
"She has been doing an outstanding job, especially to our bowlers who can swing it both ways.
"I wouldn't like to keep on it. Hopefully she ices up if she has any injuries or niggles and we will see her back with the gloves on tomorrow."
Healy had earlier scored a crucial 50 in the partnership with King, after being dropped on zero by England wicketkeeper Amy Jones in what could be a game-defining moment.
Australian Associated Press
