End of an era: Alyssa Healy’s extraordinary numbers don’t do justice to her impact on Australia and women’s cricket

When Alyssa Healy walks out for Australia one last time against India in March, it will mark the end of one of the most influential careers in women’s cricket. At 35, Healy has decided that the upcoming home series against India will mark her final appearance for Australia, bringing down the curtain on an illustrious journey that lasted a decade and a half.

Healy will captain Australia in the three ODIs and the one-off Test in Perth, but she will not feature in the T20Is. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled later this year in the UK, Healy felt the time was right to step aside and allow the team to prepare for the future.

“It’s with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia,” Healy said.

In her own words, the decision was emotional but necessary. She admitted that while her love for Australian cricket remains strong, the competitive edge that drove her for more than 15 years at the highest level has begun to fade.

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“I’m still passionate about playing for Australia but I’ve somewhat lost that competitive edge that’s kept me driven since the start, so the time feels right to call it a day,” she said.

“Knowing I won’t be going to the T20 World Cup this year and the limited preparation time the team has, I won’t be part of the T20s against India, but I’m excited to have the opportunity to finish my career and captain the ODI and Test side at home against India — one of the biggest series on the calendar for us,” Healy added.

Leader. Larrikin. Legend ❤️

After 15 unforgettable years as part of our team, Alyssa Healy will retire from all forms of cricket following our home series against India. pic.twitter.com/M7VenGA5En

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 12, 2026

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Numbers alone do not explain Healy’s impact

Healy leaves the game as one of the most decorated cricketers Australia has ever produced. She won eight world titles – six T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups – and was a central figure in Australia’s long period of dominance across formats. She represented her country in 10 Tests, 123 ODIs and 162 T20 Internationals, scoring over 10,000 international runs.

From a young age, she was different. As a teenager, she became the first girl to play in Sydney’s Combined Associated Schools competition, challenging old ideas. When she made her Australia debut in 2010 at just 19, the women’s game was still growing. By the time she retires, it is played in front of packed stadiums and global audiences, something Healy played a role in making possible.

Early in her career, Healy showed flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency. For several years, she moved in and out of the opening role and often batted lower down the order. Yet selectors stayed patient, believing in her talent. That faith paid off when she was finally backed as a full-time opener after the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup.

What followed was one of the most dominant periods by any batter in women’s cricket. Healy transformed Australia’s approach at the top of the order, combining power with fearless intent. She became a true 360-degree player, capable of exploiting fielding restrictions and putting bowlers under pressure from the very first over.

"She just takes down bowlers and doesn't let them settle, and I love that." pic.twitter.com/0nB39wcgcq

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 12, 2026

Between 2017 and 2023, she averaged over 50 in ODIs while striking at more than a run-a-ball. In T20Is, her explosive batting redefined what was possible in the format. Her unbeaten 148 against Sri Lanka remains the highest individual score in women’s T20 cricket by a full-member player, while her 170 in the 2022 ODI World Cup final is still the highest score in a World Cup final, whether in the men’s game or women’s.

Healy also saved her best for the biggest stages. Her match-winning innings in the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the 2022 Cricket World Cup were not just great knocks but also helped Australia expand their trophy cabinet.

She was also equally influential behind the stumps. With 269 international dismissals, the most by any woman, Healy raised expectations of what a wicketkeeper could contribute to a team.

A captain who put teammates first

When Meg Lanning retired, Healy took on the added responsibility of captaincy. Filling the void left behind by one of the most successful captains in cricket history was never going to be easy. Yet Healy approached leadership in her own way, focusing on connection and helping younger players feel at home in the team environment.

“She cares a lot about the people around her. Over the last few years especially, she’s been able to read the group really well and understand what we need at certain times. She’s always looking out for people in her own way, especially the younger kids that come in. A lot of that is behind the scenes – she’s always making sure they’re settling in OK, and fitting in nicely,” Lanning said in 2021.

“None of it is to get recognition … she just really cares about us having a good team environment, and wants people to be enjoying themselves.”

This reflected how much Healy valued her teammates and how seriously she took the pride of playing for Australia.

Though Australia have not won a World Cup during her captaincy, her commitment to the team never dipped, even while managing injuries. One notable example occurred during a Test match at Trent Bridge, where Healy batted with broken fingers on both hands. Despite her injuries, she came to the crease when Australia was in a difficult situation and scored 50 crucial runs, helping Australia win.

As she prepares for her final series against India, Healy will get the farewell she deserves - at home, in front of her fans, wearing the baggy green one last time.