Alyssa Healy has reinstated her desire to be the next captain of Australia’s women’s cricket team, urging fans to support the “re-evolution” of a team expected to win every time they play.
Meg Lanning’s shock retirement from international cricket at the age of 31 marked the end of an era for the all conquering team that has won the Ashes, T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold in recent times.
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As vice-captain, Healy has filled in for Lanning previously and told news.com.au she would love to take over as Australia’s skipper fulltime.
“The captaincy, it’s up for discussion as to what’s best for the group moving forward,” Healy said.
“I’ve had a taste of it over the last 18 months and just assumed I was warming the seat for Meg when she came back, but that’s obviously not the case now.
“It’s exciting, it’s a cool opportunity for someone. Meg’s done an amazing job for 10 years leading the side. So it’s big shoes to fill. It’s all about the re-evolution of our group now.”
Other contenders to replace Lanning include allrounder Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney, while the team is entering a new phase as it looks to regenerate around veterans Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Jess Jonassen, who are all in their thirties.
Lanning’s departure, along with the recent retirement of Rachael Haynes, has left somewhat of a hole in Australia’s batting line-up, not to mention a void of experience in the side.
“Losing two of our most senior players over the last two years can be seen as disruptive, but it’s a great opportunity for the younger players to put their hand up as we try continue our reign,” Healy said.
“Whether it’s me at the helm or the next captain, it’s a really exciting opportunity.”
Healy was ruled out of the WBBL after she suffered a nasty dog bite injury early in the campaign.
She is targeting a return to action in the Test match during Australia’s tour of India later this year.
“It’s good. It’s healing really well at the moment,” the wicketkeeper said.
“Everyone’s happy with how it’s going. Still on track to be part of the Test match in that series in India.
“It’s a big motivator. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play Test cricket, let alone in India. So it’s at the forefront of my mind with rehab.”
Australian cricket fans have grown accustomed to the women’s team winning every tournament and big game they play in, but Healy said their dominance shouldn’t be taken for granted.
The West Indies, led by Hayley Matthews, seriously challenged Australia in their recent series and are one of many international sides expected to reap the benefits of the growth of T20 franchise cricket.
“The gap (to other countries) hasn’t necessarily been as wide as what it’s been made out to be,” Healy said.
“Yes we’ve been successful and won tournaments but we’ve won big key moments that have got us over the line.
“You can’t use the excuse anymore of professionalisation around the world because a lot of other nations have invested like Cricket Australia have.
“There is a sense of pressure and expectation to stay at the head of the pack.”
Healy said the standard of domestic cricket is continuing to improve and urged fans to attend games at the WBBL’s stadium series on the last weekend of November.
“As for the fans, what I’d love to see is people come out and watch the re-evolution and the level of the game, come along to the SCG on the 26th of November for the unfold before the eyes,” she said.
“I think the WBBL this season has gone up a gear. We’ve got great international imports but the domestic players, they’re doing really good things up at the Brisbane Heat for example.”
Healy is also backing her Sydney Sixers to qualify for the WBBL finals after recovering from a slow start to the season.
The Sixers face several crunch games against top contenders including the Perth Scorchers on Thursday before games against the Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder to round out the season.
All four of those teams are above the fifth-placed Sixers on the WBBL ladder, but Healy believes there would be no better way to make finals then by beating the best teams.
“If we do want to make finals, we do need to beat the best. The top four teams are playing great cricket, she said.”
Asked how any team can beat Mooney and the table topping Perth Scorchers, Healy said: “It’s not just Beth Mooney you have to worry about.
“You’ve got to get them both early, her and Sophie Devine. That’s the best chance of restricting a total they can get and then Nat Sciver-Brunt comes in.”
WBBL Stadium Series (all times AEDT)
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder — 3.40pm, Friday November 24 @ Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers — 7.10pm, Friday November 24 @ Adelaide Oval
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades — 6.10pm, Saturday November 25 @ MCG
More Coverage
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes — 10.10, Sunday November 26 @ SCG
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder — 1.40pm, Sunday November 26 @ SCG
Tickets are now on sale for all Weber WBBL|09 and KFC BBL|13 games. To buy tickets, visit https://www.cricket.com.au/tickets.
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