Eyes on the prize for committed Healy

A brush with concussion hasn't done anything to deter Alyssa Healy's career-best form, with the wicketkeeper-batter claiming another player-of-the-match award as Australia stormed into the World T20 final.

Healy wasn't even guaranteed to be playing in the semi-final against the West Indies – which Australia won by 71 runs – after suffering a mild concussion in the final group match against India.

But the 28-year-old passed every test with flying colours to take her place on the field and once there, smashed 46 from 38 deliveries and secured a crucial run-out to claim her fourth POTM award from five games this tournament.

Healy's knock put her back on top of the tournament leading run-scorers list, with 203 runs from four innings at 67.66, those runs coming at a strike rate of 149.26.

On Thursday, she was Australia's top-scorer in tough conditions and said the head knock hadn't done anything to impact her form.

Image Id: 7A7FCAE31FE04166A6B85F06BB02A534 Image Caption: Healy hits out on her way to 46 // Cricket Network

"Even the last two training sessions coming out of the ball, I was seeing the ball fine and I hadn't really lost anything in my batting," Healy said following the match.

The Sixers star was cleared to play on the morning of the match, having successfully passed the series of stringent tests that follow any concussion.

It was a five-day process that hinged on Healy suffering no recurrence of symptoms and the 'keeper praised the efforts of team doctor Pip Inge and physio Kate Mahony.

"I'll sit here and I'll say I think I was really, really lucky," she said. "I really didn't get many symptoms, concussion symptoms. I didn't have headaches. I didn't have anything.

"I simply had a sore neck from the whiplash after hitting Schutt's shoulder.

"I was really lucky. And I had fantastic medical staff in Kate and Pip looking after me and making sure I was making smart decisions about what I was doing.

"And I think personally I did all the right things as well to give my mind a break and let it refresh and replenish and go today."

Image Id: E23768C86F114F79A48A866390C37624 Image Caption: Healy celebrates her catch of a high ball // Getty

Healy also debuted a new piece of kit when she donned the gloves for Australia's fielding innings in the semi-final, wearing glasses in a match for the first time.

She joked it was a move prompted by a few errors behind the stumps, but there were no issues for Healy on Thursday as she manufactured Australia's first wicket with a snappy run out before taking a skied catch late in the match.

Image Id: C56C07372ADC46B1B5BBCA7FC99846B4 Image Caption: Healy wore her glasses in a match for the first time // Cricket Network

"I've had glasses for the last six months now (but) haven't worn them on the cricket field," Healy explained.

"And the way my gloves have been going of late, I thought why not, can't get any worse.

"I thought I'd take them out there. And they worked a treat. You might see me in them again."

Given her concussion was caused by a collision with Megan Schutt when both attempted to take the same high catch, there was no surprise her teammates steered well clear when Britney Cooper top-edged a Delissa Kimmince delivery in the 13th over of the Windies' innings.

Scorecard: England crush India to book Aussie showdown

Healy was delighted with the catch, but said her reaction was more about two similar catches she dropped during last year's Ashes than about the collision on Saturday.

"Last year I just dropped two in a row at nighttime. So I'm never too confident under that high ball," she said.

"But, look, glasses, new woman.

"Everyone steered clear and let me have my space and fortunately it stayed in."

Australia will meet the winner of the second semi-final between England and India in the World T20 final at Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday from 8pm local time (11am Sunday AEDT).

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia beat Pakistan by 52 runs

November 11: Australia beat Ireland by nine wickets

November 13: Australia beat New Zealand by 33 runs

November 17: Australia lost to India by 48 runs

November 22: Semi-final: Australia beat West Indies by 71 runs

November 24: Final: Australia v England, Sir Vivian Richards Ground