Australian women's cricket captain Alyssa Healy has announced she will retire from international cricket in March, bringing an end to a glittering 15-year career. The wicketkeeper-batter made the emotional revelation, admitting she has lost the 'competitive edge' that has driven her since her teenage debut.
A Difficult Decision and Final Series
Healy confirmed the upcoming multi-format series against India will be her last in the famous green and gold. 'It's with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia,' Healy stated. 'I'm still passionate about playing for Australia, but I've somewhat lost that competitive edge that's kept me driven since the start, so the time feels right to call it a day.'
She will not feature in the three T20 Internationals against India, acknowledging the team's limited preparation time for the T20 World Cup later this year. However, she will captain the side in the One-Day Internationals and the Test match on home soil. 'I'm excited to have the opportunity to finish my career and captain the ODI and Test side at home against India – one of the biggest series on the calendar for us,' she added.
A Record-Breaking Career of a Great
Alyssa Healy's career statistics cement her status as one of the sport's finest. No cricketer, male or female, has taken more catches as a wicketkeeper than Healy, a record she claimed in September 2020 with her 92nd dismissal. She is poised to reach 300 international caps if she plays five of the matches against India.
Her trophy cabinet is overflowing, having been a central figure in eight World Cup victories. She holds the record for the highest individual score in a World Cup final. Healy was named the ICC's T20I Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, and won the Belinda Clark Award as Australia's best women's player in 2019. Her career also includes an Ashes series sweep over England and a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022.
Tributes and a Final Farewell
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg led the tributes, describing Healy as 'one of the all-time greats of the game'. 'Alyssa has made an immeasurable contribution both on and off the field over her 15-year career,' Greenberg said. 'On behalf of Australian Cricket, I'd like to thank Alyssa and congratulate her on an incredible career that has inspired so many and changed the game for the better.'
Healy reflected on what she will miss most: 'I'll genuinely miss my teammates, singing the team song and walking out to open the batting for Australia. Representing my country has been an incredible honour and I'm grateful for one last series in the green and gold.'
The farewell series against India begins with three T20s in Sydney (February 15), Canberra (February 19), and Adelaide (February 21). It continues with ODIs in Brisbane (February 24) and Hobart (February 27 & March 1), concluding with a Test match at the WACA in Perth from March 6 to 9.
