Australia and New Zealand will have to wait for Saturday’s second game to get their one-day series underway in Wellington

Alyssa Healy’s return from her knee injury has been delayed with the first one-day international between Australia and New Zealand washed out.

A torrential downpour in Wellington meant play never got underway on Thursday and was called just after 1.30pm local time.

The washout leaves Australian captain Healy, who has missed more than a month of cricket, with at most two international games to prepare for the home Ashes that begin on January 12.

More rain is forecast for the New Zealand capital on Saturday, when the second match of the series is scheduled, although at present it does not appear it will be as persistent as on Thursday.

Conditions are expected to improve by the third and final game on Monday.

Healy is not expected to keep wicket during the NZ series after flagging she would need to manage her return to play following the knee injury that cut short her WBBL season.

Beth Mooney will take the gloves as she did in the 3-0 series defeat of India earlier this month.

It remains to be seen whether there will be space for both Healy and Georgia Voll in the Australian XI.

As Healy’s replacement at the top of the batting order, Voll averaged 86.5 in a stellar debut series against India that earned her a late call-up to the NZ tour.

A knee injury to spinner Sophie Molineux could open up a spot for Voll to shift down the order provided Australia are content playing with just two frontline spinners in Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner – one fewer than they typically do.

Alternatively, Georgia Wareham is the most logical like-for-like replacement for Molineux.

The washout means Australia and New Zealand split the ICC Women’s ODI Championship points on offer.

It leaves Australia on 35 points with two games remaining in their final series of the Championship cycle. India, on 25 points but with six matches still to play, are the only team who can overtake the Aussies and claim the Championship.

A 2-0 series win over Australia would be enough to secure their third Championship, while a 1-1 result, or a series defeat, could leave the door open to India should they sweep their remaining matches. 

New Zealand meanwhile move to 21 points and remain in danger of missing automatic qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup, with both Bangladesh and West Indies potentially able to leapfrog them on the table.  

Commbank tour of New Zealand

Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold

First ODI: Abandoned without a ball bowled

Second ODI: December 21: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

Third ODI: December 23: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

The rivalry resumes with a blockbuster series in Australia from Jan 12 – Feb 2. Learn about the remarkable 90-year history at the Women’s Ashes Hub