Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy will be given until the very last moment to prove her fitness for Australia’s first match of the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand.

But her imminent return could cause a selection headache, with her replacement, Georgia Voll, starring in her absence.

Healy has been sidelined for over a month with a knee complaint, that she sustained during the WBBL.

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With the first of the three ODI matches beginning on Thursday, Healy is cutting it fine to make her return.

It’s the first of those matches which span across just five days, before the Australian side take just over two weeks off before their Ashes series against England kicks off.

Coach Shelley Nitschke admitted they’re holding out hope that the veteran batter can return.

“Midge is here in New Zealand with us and hopefully is available for all games,” Nitschke said. “Obviously, they are pretty tight games, so that comes into it.”

But another problem will emerge if she does pull up fit.

That is who the selectors will axe to make room for Healy.

Her batting replacement, Voll, has proved her worth on debut, after making a maiden international century against India during Australia’s 3-0 ODI series victory.

Selectors now must decide whether Voll keeps her spot opening with Phoebe Litchfield, or if another experienced Aussie gets cut.

And it doesn’t seem like Nitschke wants Voll to go anywhere.

“Volly was fantastic coming in as a debutant and having the series she had,” Nitschke said.

“It was so good to see we can bring someone in and have her perform and fit into the group so well. She is making a case for herself and (we’ll) see where that lands. We have so many options with both bat and ball.”

If Healy is to return, she would be on lighter duties and only expected to bat.

It won’t be a problem for her teammates, with back-up keeper Beth Mooney able to continue to fill the void behind the stumps.

“It depends what workload she will get in a particular game and we will just assess after each game, with … what we’ve got coming after Christmas,” Nitschke said.