Alyssa Healy signed off her ODI career in the most extraordinary fashion, blasting 158 off just 98 balls against India in Hobart before Australia named two uncapped players in their squad for the upcoming pink-ball Test at the WACA. Alyssa Healy’s farewell ODI innings was a reminder of everything that has made her one of the greatest white-ball players of her generation — brutal, joyful, and completely on her own terms.
Alyssa Healy’s 158: A Century, a Near Double-Hundred and Even Some Bowling
Alyssa Healy reached her century from just 79 deliveries and then needed only 16 more balls to bring up 150 an extraordinary pace of scoring even by her electric standards. With Australia already assured of a comprehensive victory and the final stages of the match turning ceremonial, she was eyeing a double hundred before a full toss from Sneh Rana, combined with debilitating cramp in her calf, ended the innings at 158.
It was a fitting final number the 158 lifted her career ODI statistics to 3,777 runs at an average of 37.02 and a strike rate of 100.69, a tally that captures both the volume and the velocity that defined her 50-over batting across 15 remarkable years.
To complete what was already a surreal afternoon, Alyssa Healy bowled two overs of gentle offspin — the first time she had bowled in her entire professional career to the delight of the Hobart crowd and the audible amusement of her husband Mitchell Starc, who was commentating in the broadcast box above. It was the kind of moment that could only happen in a farewell match, and the crowd’s applause reflected how much they appreciated it.
“What a Ridiculous Sport” Alyssa Healy Reflects on Her ODI Swansong
Speaking after the match, Healy was characteristically candid about her complicated relationship with milestone occasions throughout her career. She has consistently described major matches built around personal landmarks as sources of pressure rather than pleasure but Hobart, she admitted, felt different.
“What a ridiculous sport that we play, that it can kick you down so many times and then give you opportunities like it has today,” Alyssa Healy said. “I’ve hated every milestone match, so today was just an opportunity to go out and enjoy it. It was one of the more enjoyable experiences I’ve had, so thanks to the cricket gods for that, it was a nice way to sign off in the yellow.”
The tone of her remarks grateful, reflective, and gently self-deprecating captured exactly why Alyssa Healy has been one of the most beloved figures in Australian cricket across her career.
The phrase “ridiculous sport” was not a complaint but an expression of wonder: wonder that a sport capable of producing crushing disappointments can also deliver afternoons of such complete personal fulfilment.
Presenting Lucy Hamilton’s First Cap the Moment That Got to Healy
If Healy managed to keep her emotions in check throughout most of the day, it was the pre-match ceremony that briefly broke through her composure. As part of the occasion, Healy presented Lucy Hamilton with her first international cap — a ritual that carries enormous significance in Australian cricket.
“I was honestly fine this morning,” Alyssa Healy said, “and then when I was writing it all down and realising probably what it means to debut and get that cap made me realise how special and how lucky I’ve been over the last 15 years to have done it as many times as I’ve had. So that was a really special experience.” The moment highlighted a passing of the torch Alyssa Healy ending her ODI career in the same match in which Hamilton began hers. Hamilton is expected to make her Test debut at the WACA following her ODI appearance in Hobart.
Alyssa Healy Targets Farewell Test at the WACA as Final Chapter
Alyssa Healy’s international career will conclude with the pink-ball Women’s Test against India at the WACA in Perth, which begins on Friday. She expressed genuine curiosity about what the famous ground’s unique surface would offer in Test conditions.
“The WACA wicket has done some interesting things for us in Test cricket and white-ball cricket over the last few years, so I’m looking forward to seeing what conditions present. But any time this group gets to wear the baggy green is extra special, so we’re looking forward to doing that.” The Women’s Test at the WACA represents a landmark occasion in its own right — pink-ball Women’s Tests remain relatively rare events — and Healy’s presence will lend it an added layer of historic significance.
Australia Call Up Trenaman and Brown as Injuries Bite Again
Australia have made two additions to their Test squad to cover for the ongoing injury crisis that has blighted the multi-format series. Tasmania batter Rachel Trenaman and New South Wales pace bowler Maitlan Brown both uncapped at international level have been called up following the injuries sustained by Kim Garth (quad) and Sophie Molineux (back), both of whom were ruled out during the ODI leg.
There remains hope that Ellyse Perry could feature in the Test as a specialist batter as she continues her recovery from a quad injury, though no firm confirmation has been given. The combination of injuries means Australia will approach the WACA Test with a significantly altered squad from the one that began the series, placing added responsibility on those stepping up to fill the gaps left by experienced players.
🔗 Visit our other platforms:
8jjSports.com
