Alyssa Healy dispels ‘excuse’ myth as Australians embrace dominant team ‘revolution’
Alyssa Healy has reaffirmed her desire to be the next captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, urging fans to support the “revolution” 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 won gold at the Ashes, T20 World Cup, World Cup world ODI and Commonwealth Games in recent times.
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As vice-captain, Healy has already replaced Lanning and told news.com.au she would love to take over as Australia’s full-time skipper.
“The captaincy is up for discussion as to what is best for the group going forward,” Healy said.
“I’ve had a taste of it over the last 18 months and I just thought I was warming Meg’s seat when she came back, but that’s obviously not the case now.
“It’s exciting, it’s a great opportunity for someone. Meg did an incredible job for 10 years leading the team. It is therefore a heavy task to fulfill. It is now about the re-evolution of our group.
Other contenders to replace Lanning include versatile Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney, while the team enters a new phase as it looks to regenerate around veterans Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen, all of whom have thirties.
Lanning’s departure, along with the recent retirement of Rachael Haynes, has left a void in Australia’s batting line-up, not to mention a lack of experience in the team.
“Losing two of our most experienced players over the last two years may be seen as a disruption, but it’s a great opportunity for younger players to put their hands up as we try to continue our reign,” Healy said .
“Whether it’s me at the helm or the next captain, it’s a really exciting opportunity.”
Healy was banned from the WBBL after suffering a nasty dog bite 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 is happy with how it’s going. Still on track to be part of the Test match of this series in India.
“It’s a great motivation. I never thought I would get the opportunity to play Test cricket, let alone in India. So that’s at the forefront of my rehabilitation concerns.
Australian cricket fans have become accustomed to the women’s team winning every tournament and big match they play, but Healy said their dominance should not be taken for granted.
West Indies, led by Hayley Matthews, seriously challenged Australia in their recent series and are one of several international teams set to reap the rewards of the T20 cricket franchise’s growth.
“The gap (with other countries) is not necessarily as big as people make it out to be,” Healy said.
“Yes, we were successful and won tournaments, but we had big key moments that got us over the finish line.
“You can no longer use the excuse of professionalization around the world because many other countries have invested like Cricket Australia.
“There is a feeling of pressure and expectation to stay ahead of the pack.”
Healy said the standard of domestic cricket continues to improve and urged fans to attend the WBBL Stadium Series matches on the last weekend of November.
“As far as the fans are concerned, what I would like to see is people come out and watch the revolution and the level of the game, come to the SCG on November 26 to see it unfold before their eyes,” he said. she declared. .
“I think the WBBL has stepped up a gear this season. We have big international imports, but the domestic players are doing really good things 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 decider matches against top contenders including the Perth Scorchers on Thursday before matches against the Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder to close the season.
All four of these teams are above the fifth-place Sixers in the WBBL standings, but Healy believes there would be no better way to qualify for the finals than by beating the top teams.
“If we want to reach the final, we have to beat the best. The top four teams are playing excellent cricket, she said.
Asked how any team could beat Mooney and the Perth Scorchers at the top of the table, Healy replied: “It’s not just Beth Mooney you have to worry about.
“You need to get them both early, her and Sophie Devine. This is the best chance to limit the total that they can get, and then Nat Sciver-Brunt comes in.”
WBBL Stadium Series (all times AEDT)
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder – 3:40 p.m., Friday November 24 @ Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers – 7:10 p.m., Friday 24 November @ Adelaide Oval
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades – 6:10 p.m., Saturday November 25 @ MCG
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes – 10:10am, Sunday 26 November @ SCG
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder – 1:40 p.m., Sunday November 26 @ SCG
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