‘I genuinely don’t think there’ll be any sadness’ – Healy reflects ahead of final game for Australia

Australia great Alyssa Healy has suggested that there will be little to no grief as she nears the end of her illustrious international career. The right-handed batter will hang up her boots following the conclusion of the one-off Test match against India at the WACA in Perth commencing from Friday, March 6. 

Healy led Australia to an ODI series whitewash against India to ensure that the Aussies cannot lose the multi-format format against the reigning 50-over world champions. 

With one final international game to go in her legendary career, Healy feels extremely gracious about what she has been able to achieve with Australia and reckons there will be no sadness to leave the game behind and begin a new chapter. 

“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. We’ll wait and see what unfolds next, which is more exciting than anything else,” Healy was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.

The 35-year-old has also felt extremely privileged to end her career by playing a Test match. Healy has played 10 Test matches in her career so far and has scored 489 runs. The wicketkeeper-batter will be looking to score her maiden Test hundred in her final game with her previous best being 99. 

“I’m just really excited for what’s going to be a cracking four days of cricket. 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 added.

Healy is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australia Women’s players in recent history. The right-hander has won two ODI World Cups and six T20 World Cups. She was also part of the Aussie squad which won the gold medal during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, defeating India in the finals at Edgbaston in Birmingham. 

She has gone on to score 3,777 runs in WODIs and 3,054 runs in WT20Is. In her final white-ball game for the Aussies, Healy scored an incredible 158 off just 98 to lead her side to a 185-run victory.