Australia Captain Alyssa Healy Makes Triumphant Return To Competitive Cricket After 6 Months

Healy, who last played for Australia at the end of January, smashed 27 off just 18 on her return

Australia Women captain Alyssa Healy, who last played competitive cricket at the end of January this year, returned to competitive action in the T20 series against India A. Healy smashed 27 off just 18 deliveries opening the batting with five fours punctuating her innings, before being dismissed by S Sajana.

However, Healy neither led nor kept wickets for Australia A, as that responsibility fell on Nicole Faltum. Despite Healy’s brisk start, the middle-order could not capitalise as they managed just 137/6 in Mackay. But that proved to be enough as the hosts went on to claim a 13-run victory.

“[I got] off to a good start … another disappointing dismissal, but that’s okay,” Healy said after the game.

“I’ve done a lot of hitting in the nets, and haven’t really had any time out in the middle for a long period of time, so it was nice to just get back out there, and hopefully the decision making will start kicking back in at some point.”

Healy missed the majority of the 2024-25 season, including last year’s T20 World Cup, due to a foot injury and, later, a knee injury ruled her out of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) as well. 

She was also forced to bat as a specialist batter in the MCG Test against England, missed the New Zealand tour after that and also the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Australia A and India A will next be in action in the second match of the series on August 9 (Saturday) at the same venue. After the third T20 on August 10 (Sunday), the two teams will clash in a three-match 50-over contest and an unofficial Test, starting August 12 (Tuesday).