Alyssa Healy

Alyssa Jean Healy, hailing from Sydney, Australia, came into this world on March 24, 1990. She showcases her cricket prowess as a key player for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, represents the Australian women's national team, and competes for New South Wales in domestic cricket. In the month of February 2010, she marked her inaugural appearance in international cricket.

Alyssa Jean Healy, born in Sydney, Australia, has a notable cricket lineage. Her uncle, Ian Healy, achieved recognition as Australia's Test wicket-keeper, holding the global record for the most Test dismissals. Healy herself, a right-handed batter and wicket-keeper, is the daughter of Greg Healy, a Queensland squad member. Ken Healy, brother to both Ian and Greg, also represented Queensland in cricket.

In 2006, Healy made headlines by becoming the first female player in the New South Wales private schools league. Her cricket journey gained momentum, and by the 2007-08 season, she earned her debut with the senior New South Wales side, progressing through the state age group rankings.

With Australian wicketkeeper Leonie Coleman in the state team during her initial two seasons, Alyssa Jean Healy primarily served as a specialist batter. However, at the commencement of the 2009-10 season, Healy assumed the role of the state's full-time glover following Coleman's departure from New South Wales. In that season, Healy achieved the highest number of dismissals among wicket-keepers in the Women's National Cricket League. Notably, she also notched her personal best score of 89 not out, maintaining a scoring pace faster than a run per ball.

Alyssa Jean Healy marked her international debut during the 2010 Rose Bowl series against New Zealand, stepping in due to the injury to Australian captain and wicketkeeper Jodie Fields. She actively participated in all five Twenty20 and One Day Internationals (ODIs) and the initial five ODIs, but was rested for the final three ODIs of the New Zealand leg of the series. Australia emerged victorious in the 2010 World Twenty20, maintaining an undefeated record in which Healy played a role in every game.

In the October 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 competition held in the West Indies, Healy was chosen to represent Australia. She excelled in the tournament, securing the top position with 225 runs and earning the prestigious title of Player of the Tournament.

In December 2018, Alyssa Jean Healy received the accolade of T20I Player of the Year from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Her 100th appearance in WT20I occurred in September 2019 during Australia's series against Sri Lanka. Healy made a remarkable impact in that series by achieving a score of 148 not out, surpassing the previous record for the highest individual score in a Women's T20I match.

In preparation for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia, Healy was included in the national team in January 2020. She displayed outstanding performance in the tournament, securing the position of the second-highest run-scorer with a total of 236 runs.

After a dazzling performance, Alyssa Jean Healy was named the player of the match for her swift 75 off 39 balls against India in the final, a key contribution that led Australia to clinch their fifth title. In September 2020, during the second WT20I match against New Zealand, Healy marked her 92nd wicket-keeping dismissal. This achievement surpassed M. S. Dhoni's record of 91 dismissals, establishing a new milestone for the most dismissals by any wicketkeeper in Twenty20 International cricket, irrespective of gender.

Early Life

Alyssa Jean Healy, whose father is Greg, was born on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Greg's younger brother, Ian, held the world record for the highest number of Test dismissals and served as Australia's wicketkeeper from the late 1980s until 1999. Ken, one of my uncles, was a player for Queensland. Alyssa mentioned that her interest in cricket sparked when she relocated from Queensland to Sydney as a child. A friend persuaded her to take up the sport, despite having grown up watching her uncle play for Australia. After completing high school at MLC School, she attended Barker College.

Facing criticism from various quarters, Alyssa Jean Healy, at the age of sixteen in late 2006, was chosen as the wicket-keeper for Barker College First XI. This marked the inaugural instance of a female being selected to play alongside males in the premier private schools' cricket league in New South Wales. The controversy began when an unidentified individual, believed to be a former male student, circulated a "Save Barker Cricket Now" email within the school community. This email labeled the team's selection as a "disgrace" and advocated for the separation of the cricket team based on gender. In response, Barker College's sportsmaster denounced the anonymous author as "gutless" and emphasized that Healy's selection was grounded in valid reasons.

Former Barker College students Ian Healy and Alex Blackwell, the latter being a member of Australia's women's cricket team, both endorsed the decision and rebuked the email sender. Newspaper social commentators also condemned the emailer while commending Alyssa Healy. Reflecting on the situation in 2010, she expressed, "I would make the same choice again. I enjoyed refining my technique and enhancing my skills through playing school cricket with the boys." Healy has openly advocated for girls participating in competition with boys, a sentiment shared by her Australian compatriot, Ellyse Perry.

Healy received the opportunity to participate in the interstate Under-19 championship for New South Wales in January 2007. She played in all three matches as a batswoman, taking on the wicket-keeping role only in the second match. Her first-round scores of 47, 73, and 41, along with one catch, showcased her skills. Healy not only topped the run-scorers list but also amassed 345 runs with an impressive batting average of 57.50, earning the distinction of the best under-17 player in the competition. Remarkably, she became the sole player chosen for the senior domestic debut before playing against New Zealand A in the Australia Youth team the following month. This team comprises under-23 cricket players, and Healy contributed with one stumping and scores of 10 not out, 41, and 63 in three matches.

Even though she achieved the highest individual score among Australians in the final match, scoring 63 off 84 balls, Alyssa Healy couldn't prevent a 22-run defeat. In the initial game, she played as a wicketkeeper in the middle order; in the subsequent two matches, she solely focused on batting and opened the score. After a draw in the second match, the series concluded with a 1-1 tie.

Senior Domestic Debut

Alyssa Healy commenced her senior journey in the Australian domestic one-day league with the New South Wales Breakers in the early stages of the 2007-08 season. Given that Australian wicket-keeper Leonie Coleman was also part of the New South Wales team, Healy assumed the role of a specialist batter in the top order. Her debut against South Australia did not go as planned, recording only 24 runs in her initial five innings, marking a challenging start to her domestic career.

Entering the senior ranks, Alyssa Healy marked her debut with a match-winning performance in her sixth game, just one month into the competition. When she stepped onto the field, there were 18 overs left, and the score was 5/99 after 32 overs, following Queensland's total of 170. Healy significantly accelerated the pace, smashing eight fours and contributing an unbeaten 41 runs from 50 balls. Her impactful innings played a crucial role in guiding her state to victory by two wickets, with 17 balls remaining.

Due to rain forcing the cancellation of the decisive match, New South Wales progressed to the final and clinched the championship by securing the top spot in the qualifying round. Healy concluded the season with a tally of 78 runs at an average of 11.14. Additionally, she took part in two Twenty20 interstate games. In the initial match, she executed a stumping and contributed two runs, while in the second match, she neither batted nor kept wicket. New South Wales emerged victorious in both matches.

Chosen for the Australian Under-23 squad, Alyssa Healy participated in a series against senior teams from Australia and England at the season's end. Across three matches, she notched scores of forty-five, one, and forty-one without getting dismissed. In the third match, partnering with Elyse Villani, they established a second-wicket stand of 52, hitting six boundaries in 62 balls and guiding their team to an eight-wicket triumph over the Australian side. While playing as a specialist batter, Healy secured three catches. Similarly, in the opening matches of the 2008-09 season, the Under-23 national team faced Australia and India. After the first game against India was disrupted by rain, Healy registered a duck and nine in the subsequent matches. She was at the crease but didn't manage to take a catch.

With Coleman holding her ground as the wicketkeeper, Healy resumed her role as a batter. In the initial four games of the new domestic season, she had only one opportunity to bat, managing to score nine runs. During these games, she assumed a lower position on the field and did not engage in bowling. Following this quartet of matches, she was omitted from the team.

Subsequently, within a week, she engaged in six matches for the Second XI, predominantly as a top-order batter but occasionally taking on the roles of an opener and wicketkeeper. New South Wales emerged victorious in all matches, except one that faced a postponement due to inclement weather. During her week with the second-string squad, she accumulated 120 runs at an average of 40.00, secured six catches, and executed three stumpings before receiving the call-up to the senior team.

Upon her return, Healy was positioned in the middle order, relieved from both wicketkeeping and batting duties in the initial three games. In the latest league match, she formed a robust partnership of 89 runs with Lisa Sthalekar, achieving a score of 59 from 55 balls—maintaining a pace faster than a run per ball. In the concluding stages of the run-chase, Healy and three other batters were dismissed, but New South Wales secured victory by three wickets.

In the subsequent week, during the final against the same team, Healy managed to score 11 off 22 balls before being dismissed. However, New South Wales secured victory by six wickets with over 15 overs to spare, clinching the title. Healy concluded the one-day competition with a total of 79 runs at an average of 26.33. Although she found a place on Australia's 30-person shortlist for the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup, she did not secure a spot in the final 15-person team.

During the season, Healy showcased her skills in two Twenty20 matches, contributing 35 runs from 27 balls against South Australia and 16 runs from 21 balls against Victoria. In the initial game, which New South Wales emerged victorious, she secured the position of the second-highest scorer.

Full Time Wicket Keeper

Healy assumed the role of the primary wicket-keeper for New South Wales on a full-time basis at the commencement of the 2009-10 season, succeeding Coleman, who had transferred to represent the Australian Capital Territory post the Women's World Cup in early 2009. In the initial three innings of the one-day season, she commenced with scores of 11, 12, and 29, and subsequently delivered an unbeaten 89 against Victoria. Displaying her prowess, Healy smashed 13 boundaries in 82 deliveries after the dismissal of Leah Poulton, contributing to partnerships of 72 with Blackwell and 82 with Sthalekar. The team's score stood at 1/9 after three overs.

Healy, who had earlier secured a catch and executed a stumping, was honored as the Player of the Match after New South Wales achieved their target of 187 with over 13 overs to spare. Her inclusion in the Australian Under-21 squad to compete against the New Zealand Emerging Players marked the conclusion of her season. The series concluded with Australia triumphing 4-1, credited to her contribution of 50 runs at an average of 10.00 in five matches, along with five catches and one stumping.

Batting at No. 3 in the one-day competition final, she notched up 23 runs from 37 deliveries and secured two catches as New South Wales triumphed over Victoria by a margin of 59 runs. Following Blackwell, Healy held the second-highest average in her team, accumulating 208 runs at an average of 29.71 by the conclusion of her initial full season as a wicketkeeper. Additionally, she recorded nine stumpings and grasped 11 catches in 11 matches, surpassing the achievements of any other player in terms of dismissals.

In the course of seven T20 matches, she registered 52 runs at an average of 13.00. In a triumphant encounter against Tasmania, securing victory by eight wickets, she attained her highest score of 20 runs without conceding a loss from 13 deliveries. During the final match, after Victoria batted first and posted a score of 5/127, Healy completed a catch and executed a stumping. Following a challenging start, losing four wickets in the initial 13 balls and ultimately being all out for 75, trailing by 22 runs, Healy, unfortunately, scored a duck for New South Wales in response.

Notably, her record of nine byes in a WT20I innings as a wicketkeeper is on par with Tammy Beaumont, standing as the highest by any female wicketkeeper.

International Debut

Owing to an injury to the existing captain and wicketkeeper, Jodie Fields, Healy was selected for the Australian team in February 2010 for the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand. The selection committee, in a statement, remarked, "Alyssa has been recognized for higher accolades for several years and now has the opportunity to showcase her aggressive batting and wicket-keeping skills on the international platform." Making her ODI debut at the Adelaide Oval, Healy actively participated in all five ODIs during the Australian leg of the series. In her debut match, she energetically struck four boundaries and accumulated 21 runs from 11 deliveries in the closing overs, contributing to Australia reaching a total of 241. Subsequently, they bowled out the visitors for 126, securing a convincing victory by 115 runs. Displaying her fielding prowess, she took a crucial catch to dismiss Amy Satterthwaite off Rene Farrell's bowling. However, in the following two games, Healy faced consecutive ducks, and in the final match at Junction Oval, she managed to score four. In the subsequent innings, her opportunities with the bat were limited. Concluding the series, she tallied five catches, executed a stumping, and notched up twenty-five runs with a striking average of 100.00.

Following this, she took part in three Twenty20 matches held at Hobart's Bellerive Oval. The initial match marked the first live broadcast on free-to-air television in Australia, serving as a prelude to the men's teams' encounter between Australia and the West Indies. At the onset of the game, Australian fast bowler Ellyse Perry induced an outside edge from skipper Aimee Watkins as New Zealand began their innings. However, Healy missed the catch as the ball flew directly to her midriff. Healy secured her first wicket by catching Nicola Browne off Sthalekar's off-spin, yet Watkins persisted, amassing 44 runs from 36 balls as New Zealand reached a total of 7/117.

Coming to the crease at 6/107 by the conclusion of the 19th over, Healy had accumulated three runs in as many deliveries. She found herself on strike for Browne's final ball of the match, with Australia needing three runs for victory. The delivery, wide outside off, prompted Healy's forceful shot to pass the bat's outer edge and land in the vacant first slip area. However, New Zealand wicketkeeper Rachel Priest, making a diving effort, caught the ball with her right glove. As a result, the tourists secured a narrow two-run victory instead of the potentially match-winning four runs.

Despite accumulating 17 runs at an average of 5.66 and a strike rate of 77.27 in the three Twenty20 matches in Australia and the initial two in New Zealand, Healy had a limited impact with the bat. She failed to secure any additional dismissals beyond her debut match. Australia faced defeat in each of the matches. Subsequently, batter Jess Cameron temporarily took on the role of wicket-keeper for the three ODIs in New Zealand, resulting in Healy being excluded from the squad.

2010 World Twenty 20

With Fields sidelined again due to injury during the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies, Healy was selected to feature in all the games. In Australia's initial warm-up match, resulting in an 18-run loss to New Zealand, she made two catches and did not have the chance to bat. Her participation in the final warm-up match spared her from batting, and she made no contribution to Pakistan's 82-run victory over Australia.

In the group stage of the tournament, Australia found themselves alongside England, South Africa, and the West Indies. Healy's crucial catch came in the opening game against England, dismissing Danielle Hazell off Sthalekar's delivery. When Healy entered the field with the score at 7/63 after 14.2 overs, Australia faced a challenging task to reach their target of 105 for victory. England held the advantage, requiring 42 runs from 34 balls after three wickets fell in 16 deliveries, during which only three runs were added.

Following that, Healy struck three boundaries and scored 15 runs from 9 deliveries until Nicki Shaw dismissed her, surpassing Sthalekar's record of 23 from 13 balls. Regrettably, the scores were level after Rene Farrell was run out while attempting to secure the winning run on the third-to-last available ball.

In the Super Over, England's Laura Marsh took charge of the bowling. Leah Poulton was dismissed on the fourth delivery, paving the way for Healy at 1/3. Australia found themselves at 2/6 in their Super Over, with Healy managing to score a two off the fifth ball. However, Jenny Gunn executed a run-out as Healy attempted a second run on the sixth and penultimate delivery. In an effort to secure the winning run on the last ball, England faced a run-out, concluding with a score of 2/6 as well. Australia emerged victorious in the match due to a higher number of sixes in the contest, with the lone six credited to Jess Cameron.

In the subsequent match against South Africa, Healy advanced two positions to No. 7. After Cameron's dismissal and run-out without contributing to the score, her partner Sarah Elliott took the field. Healy managed to secure one boundary but was dismissed at 7/151 for 8 from 6 deliveries. Following her dismissal, Australia faced a setback, losing 6 wickets for just 16 runs, including the final four wickets falling for four runs. The team was eventually all out for 155 with three balls remaining.

Australia secured a victory by 22 runs, and Healy did not register any dismissals in the match. Joining the game at 6/111 against the West Indies, she aggressively scored 12 runs off 8 balls before being caught on the final delivery of the innings. This contributed to Australia concluding at 7/133, with Healy and Sthalekar collectively scoring 22 runs in 16 deliveries. Australia emerged triumphant by nine runs, concluding the group stage undefeated. Healy made a crucial catch, dismissing Deandra Dottin for a golden duck off Perry's bowling.

In the semi-final clash against India, Australia successfully chased down their target of 120 with seven wickets and seven balls to spare. Healy played a pivotal role in the victory, executing a stumping to dismiss the top Indian batsman Mithali Raj off Sthalekar's bowling. Her services were not required with the bat in that match. Moving on to the final against New Zealand, Australia opted to bat first. However, the top-order faced challenges, and in the 13th over, Healy entered the crease to join Elliott with the team at 5/51, having lost two wickets in quick succession.

Contributing 21 runs in 18 deliveries, the pair effectively elevated the run rate. Despite being granted a reprieve by Sara McGlashan in the outfield, Healy managed to score ten runs in as many balls but was subsequently run out while attempting to add more to the total. Following this incident, the 16th over concluded with the score standing at 6/72, and Australia ultimately reached a total of 8/106.

Healy had to reconsider his decision to grant Priest a stumped call during the middle of the run-chase because television umpire Asad Rauf mistakenly pressed the wrong button. Shortly after, Australia was in a commanding position against New Zealand, who stood at 5/36 after 11 overs, requiring 71 runs from the remaining 54 balls. However, Nicola Browne and Sophie Devine, who contributed 41 runs from an equal number of balls, revitalized New Zealand's prospects. Following Healy's catch of Browne off Perry's bowling in the 18th over, Australia secured a narrow victory by three runs, as New Zealand concluded at 6/103.

2015 - Present

Included in Australia's touring squad, Healy participated in the 2015 Women's Ashes in England in June of that year.

Throughout the entire 2017 Women's Ashes series held in Australia, Healy was designated as the wicketkeeper. In the opening leg of the ODI series, she emerged as the top run-scorer. Australia, the reigning champions, retained the Ashes after the series concluded with an 8-8 points tally. She was among the fourteen players chosen by Cricket Australia for national contracts in April 2018, covering the 2018-19 campaign.

Following the retirement of Alex Blackwell as captain, Healy was appointed as the captain of the New South Wales Breakers for the 2018-19 campaign in June 2018. Her selection took precedence over Ellyse Perry, who captains the Sydney Sixers, and Rachael Haynes, the vice-captain of Australia.

She found a place in Australia's squad for the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in the West Indies in October 2018, earning recognition as one of the players to watch before the tournament commenced. Emerging as the top scorer with 225 runs, she outperformed all other players in the competition, securing the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.

In November 2018, she joined the Sydney Sixers roster for the 2018-19 Women's Big Bash League season. Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Cricket Australia granted her a contract in April 2019. Her inclusion in Cricket Australia's squad was confirmed for the Women's Ashes tour to England in June 2019.

At the 2019 CA Allan Border Medal event, she was honored with the Belinda Clarke Medal. In January 2020, she was included in Australia's squad in preparation for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup held in Australia. In a noteworthy performance against Bangladesh, Healy and Beth Mooney established the most substantial opening partnership for Australia Women in a WT20I competition, amassing 151 runs together. Healy's stellar contribution continued in the final, where she played a crucial role in Australia's fifth victory, earning the Player of the Match title by smashing 75 runs off 39 balls.

In November 2020, Healy received a nomination for the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Decade award. Her 200th international match took place on April 7, 2021, during the second WODI against New Zealand.

Included in the Australian lineup for the Women's Ashes series against England in January 2022, Healy was later named in the Australian squad for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Subsequently, she was acquired by the Northern Superchargers for the 2022 season of The Hundred in England in April 2022. Additionally, Healy secured a spot in Australia's squad for the cricket competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, the following month.

After Meg Lanning retired from international cricket in December 2023, Healy was appointed as the captain of the Australian women's national cricket team for test matches, one-day internationals, and Twenty20 matches.

Records

Healy achieved the Guinness World Record for the highest catch of a cricket ball at 8.2 meters, holding the title from February 21, 2019, to August 2, 2019. The aim was to mark one year until the commencement of the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. However, Kristan Baumgartner surpassed this record with a catch at 11.4 meters. On October 2, 2019, at North Sydney Oval, Alyssa Healy made an exceptional score of 148* (61) against Sri Lanka, establishing a world record for the highest runs in a Women's T20 International. On March 8, 2020, Alyssa set another record for the fastest 50 (off 30 balls) in the history of ICC event finals across all formats.