Alyssa Healy reckons she is “all good”. Australia’s captain, set for her last international outing in this week’s pink-ball Test against India at the WACA, has fielded that same question all tour. Each time the answer is calm, almost breezy. No tears, no drama – just a quiet determination to enjoy the last few days in the dressing-room before, as she puts it, “a well-earned breather on the couch”.
There is, she insists, no sadness. Reflecting on 16 years in national colours can wait. “I genuinely don’t think there’ll be any sadness. I’m just really excited for life after cricket, and I’m really grateful for the experience that I’ve had so far,” she said during a relaxed media chat on the WACA outfield. She is looking forward, not back, although a brief wobble did arrive when she presented 19-year-old quick Lucy Hamilton with her first ODI cap. Writing that speech forced her to think about her own debut in 2010.
“I got a little emotional writing Lucy Hamilton’s cap presentation. That kind of reaffirmed to me that it’s hard work getting your cap and debuting for Australia,” Healy admitted. “How lucky I’ve been for 16 years to have done that… writing somebody else’s speech was a nice little moment to check in with myself and go ‘this is really special’.”
In typically unfussy style, Healy has already helped Australia wrap up the multi-format series. Her side swept the ODIs 3-0 to move eight points clear, an unassailable lead after India had pinched the T20Is earlier in the summer. A thunderous 158 from 98 balls in her final ODI summed her up: aggressive, fearless, great fun to watch.
The one hole in an otherwise gleaming CV is a Test hundred. Women’s Test opportunities remain scarce – this will be just her 11th – and her best score is the agonising 99 she made against South Africa on the same WACA strip two years ago, eventually spooning a return catch to off-spinner Delmi Tucker. “Whatever happens will happen. I’m very aware that not everyone retires on their own terms. This is a really cool opportunity to retire at home and in a baggy green,” she reflected.
This time Healy will bat in the middle order and, for once, hand the wicket-keeping gloves to Beth Mooney. That small switch leaves her fresher to chase that elusive century. Former Australia coach Matthew Mott, watching from afar, believes the move could be decisive. “Taking the gloves off can free a batter up mentally and physically. She’s got every chance,” he said earlier in the week.
Healy’s influence stretches well beyond batting. Australia looked a little flat during the T20I leg under stand-in skipper Sophie Molineux, but the regular captain’s return restored a familiar edge. Vice-captain Tahlia McGrath was blunt: “She walks back in and the standard lifts. Simple as that.”
Asked about legacy, Healy shrugged. “I’ll leave that for other people. Hopefully I’ve played the game the right way.” She has – and she has also played it loudly, laughing at her own mis-hits, chirping in the field, and pushing the tempo whenever a bowler erred.
The next chapter is deliberately vague. A stint of coaching? Some commentary? First, a rare spell with nothing scheduled. “We’ll wait and see what unfolds next, which is more exciting than anything else,” she smiled.
For now, there is one last toss to call, one last anthem to stand for, and – if the cricketing gods allow – perhaps one final statement innings under lights at a ground that suits her stroke-play. Imperfect endings are common in sport, but the script would feel right if Healy signs off by turning that 99 into three figures.
