Australian vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who was once “too scared” to speak up in team meetings, could be leading her country in the T20 World Cup final this weekend.

Having won each of their four group-stage matches, the undefeated Australians have qualified for the T20 World Cup knockouts in the United Arab Emirates, facing South Africa in the first semi-final on Thursday evening (Friday morning AEDT).

However, the reigning champions were rocked by a double injury blow during last week’s victory over Pakistan in Dubai, leaving fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck and captain Alyssa Healy in the casualty ward.

Vlaeminck, who dislocated her shoulder while preventing a boundary in the outfield, was replaced in the squad by Tasmanian all-rounder Heather Graham, while Healy arrived at Australia’s group-stage match against India donning a moon boot and crutches.

Australia is hopeful Healy can recover before the knockouts, but pending the severity of her injury, McGrath could be tasked with leading the defending champions in her absence.

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Being handed the vice-captaincy has forced McGrath out of her comfort zone, with the South Australian confessing she prefers staying under the radar. However, the “very quiet, reserved” all-rounder, who has only led Australia three times across formats, could be catapulted into the spotlight over the coming days.

“(Captaincy) has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone,” McGrath told Fox Cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“I’m a very quiet, reserved, fly-under-the-radar type of player and person, but when you’re in leadership, you can’t really afford to be that.

“It’s just forced me to broaden my relationship with everyone in the team, to speak at times where I’d much prefer to just stay quiet, whether that be in team meetings or tough situations.

“Even just little things with tactically, if I might have an idea before I’d be too scared to say anything. Now it’s my job.”

Regardless, McGrath declared she was ready to step into Healy’s shoes if required, acknowledging the support she’ll receive from other leaders within the squad. The 28-year-old has led the Strikers to consecutive Women’s Big Bash League titles, with the Adelaide-based franchise eyeing a historic three-peat this season.

“I’d be happy to jump into the challenge,” she replied when asked about the prospect of leading Australia at a T20 World Cup final.

“The strength we have in the Australian side is it’s not just Midge and I. Everyone’s a leader in their own right.

“When you’ve got the likes of Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, we all help. We all lead. Even some emerging leaders coming through with Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux. We all help each other out.

“Midge has got a very collaborative approach; ‘Don’t be afraid to speak. I’m not the leader. We’re all in this together.’

“We’ll just go with the flow, and if it happened, I’m sure I’d be well supported.”

Australia’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa gets underway at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday at 1am AEDT.