The Australian women’s cricket team are currently in New Zealand, where preparations for the 2022 one-day international World Cup are underway.
Star wicketkeeper and batter Alyssa Healy believes the team is in the right mindset and players are coming into form at just the right time, as they set out to claim the tournament trophy.
“I think, coming off the back of the Ashes, we are playing some really confident cricket which is what you want leading into a World Cup,” Healy told Women’s Agenda from Christchurch over a video call.
In February, the Australians retained the Ashes trophy in a convincing multi-format series win over England that included a rare, memorable Test match – played over four days – that ended in a captivating draw.
Speaking about the Test match, Healy says it was shame neither team ended up with a win, but it’s a format she’d love to see women play more of.
“It was a shame that nobody got a result but in saying that it came down to one of the greatest last hours that I’ve been a part of,” she said. “It was an amazing four days to be part of that environment. I’m sure there will be opportunity for more.”
But with the team’s sights now squarely focused on the upcoming one-day international World Cup in March, Healy recognises the tournament experience is “a whole different beast”.
“You’re playing a new opposition every couple of days, you’ve got less time to reflect or build plans for the opposition you’ve played against. It’s literally gone, done and dusted,” she explains.
“It’s about being really adaptable and making sure that you’re turning up and performing every opportunity you get. If you have a poor performance, you need to just wipe it clear from your mind and turn up the next day.
“It’s true test, you’ve got to beat everyone to get to the final. I love that style and it is the true number one team in the world that holds the trophy at the end of it.”
Back in 2017, at the last one-day international World Cup, Australia was disappointingly knocked out in a semi-final loss to India, but Healy doesn’t think the team is holding onto any baggage from it.
“There’s only a small number of us that were in that 2017 squad, and some of us are playing different roles within the side now as well. That’s a nice place to be,” Healy says.
“The younger girls have come in and really made an impact for our side, and they can just come in and play with freedom. Our team is completely different from back then and you look at our record since that moment, it has been unbelievable.”
Personally, Healy says she’s changed as a cricketer and as a person in the five years since.
“At the time I was quite a frustrated cricketer, I didn’t really know where I fitted in or why I wasn’t taking the opportunities I was being given,” she shares.
“I feel like a different person, a different cricketer and just a more comfortable human being which I think translates to more relaxed cricket.”
“That’s one of my roles with the group, to obviously go out and take the game on, but it’s also to have a bit of fun around the group, keep smiling and laughing and calm the group down.
“It’s a role I really enjoy because when this group’s got smiles on their faces, you know we are playing good cricket.”
As the Australians head into the 2022 World Cup, Healy reflects on how lucky she is to be a part of a game that has had some form of professionalism for women in recent times. It’s an experience she’s appreciated as part of the Minerva Network, an organisation that matches leading Australian businesswomen with female athletes in mentoring relationships.
“I came into the Minerva Network at a slightly different place than a lot of the other athletes that are involved in it. There’s a lot of sports that are still trying to find their feet in professionalism. Whereas cricket’s been really lucky, we’ve been in some form of professionalism for the last little period,” Healy said.
“It’s great to be able to have the opportunity to be linked with some amazing women within the corporate space in Australia. They’re so willing to give their time to you and help you in your career path and what life could look like after sport, too.”
Healy notes the impact business leaders Christine McLoughlin and Raelene Castle have had on her personally through the network.
“I’ve known Christine for a long period of time. She’s an amazing advocate for female sport and women in this country, ensuring we get adequate opportunity and are looked after as we should be,” Healy said.
“To get linked with someone like Raelene Castle who was my mentor before she went back to New Zealand was an unbelievable experience for me. She was supportive of me and we spoke about everything cricket related or not.
“To sit down and have a glass of wine with someone who’s been through what she has and with her career path, was so incredibly inspirational to me.
“The more that women in this country, whether it be sporting or not, can stick together and support one another, the better it’s going to be.”
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