As she prepares to take her final bow for Australia, capping her legendary international career with a rare Test match, a relaxed Alyssa Healy has been bombarded by the same question.
How are you going?
“I’m okay. I’m all good,” Healy has consistently responded. Rather than being in a nostalgic mood, she’s been focused on enjoying every moment of her swansong before looking forward to the next phase of her life which will firstly start with a well-earned breather on the couch.
Healy is adamant that she is not feeling sadness ahead of the one-off pink ball Test against India at the WACA, where she will lead Australia onto the field for one last hurrah. She has already seemingly let the emotions out of her system after going through the wringer when she presented teenager Lucy Hamilton with her cap before the third ODI against India.
It was the one time when Healy allowed herself to reflect on her international cricket journey, which started with white-ball games against New Zealand in February 2010 when she was still only 19 years old – the same age as Hamilton.
“I got a little emotional writing Lucy Hamilton’s cap presentation. That kind of reaffirmed to me that it’s hard work getting your cap and debuting for Australia,” she told reporters at the WACA ground.
“How lucky I’ve been for 16 years to have done that. Probably taken it for granted at times, so writing somebody else’s speech was a nice little moment to check in with myself and go ‘this is really special’.
“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’s farewell has gone to script so far after leading Australia to an ODI series whitewash over World Cup champions India which lifted them to an 8-4 lead on points and ensured they can’t lose the multi-format series.
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
Alyssa Healy ahead of her final Test
After Australia were humbled by India in the T20I leg in an unconvincing start to the captaincy reign of Sophie Molineux, Healy’s return proved the necessary spark with her leadership and aura helping the team regain their swagger.
They are traits that will be greatly missed, as too her swashbuckling batting with Healy smashing 158 off 98 balls in her ODI finale. One of the few things missing from her glittering career is a Test ton with Healy having had not many chances with just 10 matches to her name in the format to underline the scarcity of women’s Test cricket.Healy came agonisingly close against South Africa two years ago in the last Test played at the WACA when she sped to 99 until succumbing to the offspin of debutant Delmi Tucker and was caught and bowled.Healy will bat in the middle-order in this Test match and should be more refreshed than usual given she won’t be taking the gloves with Beth Mooney having become Australia’s full-time wicketkeeper.
Alyssa Healy poses ahead of her final international appearance•Getty Images
“I’m not going out there to make a duck,” Healy grinned. “If three figures come up then so be it. At the end of the day, I just want to contribute to team success and what that looks like…we’ll wait and see.”
While Healy may not be choked up by the moment, undoubtedly those around her and fans at the ground will be wrapped up by the emotion of it all as one of Australian cricket’s greatest careers comes to a close.
Healy’s last chapter coincides with a new era for the revamped WACA ground after completion of its AU $189 million redevelopment. The famous grass banks under the historic scoreboard – which has remained untouched – will pay homage to the occasion and has been temporarily renamed ‘Healy Hill’.
The most eye-catching part of the WACA redevelopment is on the other side of the ground with a massive waterslide standing out in an aquatic area that features a 50-metre outdoor pool.
After what she hopes is a Test victory to wrap up the multi-format series – and possibly a maiden Test ton to boot – Healy wants to finish her career with, quite literally, a splash.
“The water slide is a big talking point around our group, and whether or not we get to go down it at some point,” smiled Healy, with most of the Test set to be played amid fierce heat. “I’ve been assured that we can, it’s just a matter of when.
“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.”
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
