Australia captain thanks 'cricket gods'; bows out of ODI cricket with a century

Perth, Sunday – Alyssa Healy signed off her 101-match One Day International career in cinematic fashion, blasting 158 and steering Australia to a 185-run demolition of world champions India to complete a 3-0 series sweep at a jubilant WACA Ground.

The 35-year-old skipper, who will retire from all international cricket after next week’s one-off pink-ball Test against the same opponent, shared a record-setting stand with Beth Mooney (106 not out) that propelled the hosts to 409 for seven – their highest ODI total against India. In reply the tourists were bundled out for 224 in 45.1 overs, sealing Australia’s eighth consecutive bilateral ODI series win.

Healy, named Player of the Match, greeted the moment with trademark candour at the presentation. “What a ridiculous sport we play that it can kick you down so many times and then give you opportunities like it has today,” she said. “I’ve hated every milestone match, so today was just an opportunity to go out and enjoy it. Thanks to the cricket gods for that – and yeah, that’s a nice way to sign off in the yellow.”

The wicket-keeper batter even rolled her arm over for two overs that cost 12 runs, grinning that bowling had delivered “way more satisfaction” than batting on the night. “Just to finish the ODI leg the way we did makes me really proud,” she added.

Healy used her farewell address to laud Mooney and emerging quick Lucy Hamilton, who received her maiden cap before play. “Beth’s been outstanding; the future’s bright for our team,” she said. “Presenting that cap reminded me how lucky I’ve been for 15 years. Hopefully Lucy gets another 15 in that yellow cap.”

Attention now shifts to the day-night Test starting 6 March, also at the WACA – a venue Healy says has “done interesting things” for both formats in recent seasons. “Any time this group gets to wear the baggy green is extra special,” she noted.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur conceded her side had been outplayed throughout the 50-over leg. “Overall we didn’t play good cricket,” she admitted. “It’s a long game and you have to keep doing the right things; we kept making too many mistakes.” She backed her squad to regroup quickly for the historic pink-ball clash. “Now it’s only about believing in yourself and doing the right thing for the team.”

Healy departs the ODI arena with 2,440 runs at 29.97, two World Cup titles and a legacy of fearless leadership – a tally she embellished with one last, unforgettable hundred.

SEO keywords: