Alyssa Healy has been a mainstay of the Australian women’s cricket team for the last 15 years. After taking on the role of captain, she led the team around the world. However, the upcoming India series will be her last as she shares that she is retiring.
“It’s with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia,” she said. “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.”
Her last match will be the Test against India in Perth, from 6 to 9 March 2026.
“Every contest I wanted to be a part of and wanted to compete, and it’s probably drained me a bit more over the years,” she continued. “The opportunity to finish at home is something I really wanted to do.”
When did Alyssa Healy become captain?
Alyssa became captain of the women’s national team after Meg Lanning stood down due to medical reasons. At 33, Alyssa stepped up to lead the team.
The wicket-keeper was handed the position on the eve of the 2023 Ashes, and under her captaincy, Australia retained the urn. She went on to guide the team through a three-match T20 international series and a three-match ODI (One Day International) series against the West Indies.
Known affectionately as ‘Midge’, Alyssa has described herself as “a very different leader” from her predecessor. “I’m a different personality,” she told Cricket Australia. “It’s about me putting my spin on that role.” The 33-year-old has credited her “encouraging” team for their support while she navigates the position in Meg’s absence.
Tahlia McGrath is expected to be the next captain following Alyssa’s retirement.
How long has Alyssa Healy been playing cricket for Australia?
At just 19 years old, Alyssa made her international debut for Australia during the 2010 Rose Bowl series against New Zealand. Since then, her career has flourished. She became vice captain in 2022 and then captain in 2023, with Tahlia McGrath as second in charge.
Cricket runs in the blood of the right-handed batter. Her father, Greg Healy, and her uncle, Ken Healy, both played for Queensland. Her other uncle, Ian Healy, was a wicket-keeper for Australia. And cricket continues to be part of her chosen family, too.
Is Alyssa Healy married to Mitchell Starc?
Yes, Alyssa is married to the left-arm fast bowler who represents Australia in the men’s national cricket team.
At just nine years old, Alyssa and Mitchell Starc played against each other in a junior cricket association. They soon shared wicket-keeping duties in an under-11s team, coached by Paul Starc, Mitchell’s late father. When Alyssa transferred to women’s cricket six years later, she and Mitchell remained friends. That was until October 2010, when things turned romantic.
“Before his first Australian tour to India, we had a two to three-week period where we pretty much hung out every day,” Alyssa told News Ltd in 2013. “Just before he flew out, we questioned what was going on and whether this was actually happening. We kind of just fell into it, being friends for a period of time before that. It just happened.”
In 2016, they were married.
It was cricket that led Midge to deem Mitchell her “best friend”. The couple don’t let the game dominate their personal lives.
“We don’t talk too much cricket,” Alyssa told Cricket Australia. “We try and leave the cricket side to our coaches and teammates when we are on tour, and when you get home, it is nice to have somebody else to talk to away from the game.”
While having someone who understands the nuances of the game is comforting for both Alyssa and Mitchell, the wicket-keeper cherishes the other common interests she has with her husband.
“If we go down the park, we would normally take a footy, or do something other than cricket-related,” Alyssa said.
Is Alyssa Healy retiring from cricket?
Yes, as written above, Alyssa Healy is retiring from cricket.
“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,” the 35-year-old in a media statement.
“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,” she shared.
“I’ll genuinely miss my teammates, singing the team song and walking out to open the batting for Australia. Representing my country has been an incredible honour, and I’m grateful for one last series in the green and gold.”
What will Alyssa Healy do after retirement?
There are many options out there for the Australian women’s cricket captain. She could likely move into broadcasting, sports coverage and commentary like other women sports stars. She tried her hand at this over the past few years, including over the men’s Ashes series this last summer.
Alyssa is also one of the hosts of the Willow Talk podcast with other cricketers, Brad Haddin and Adam Peacock. The trio cover the latest in cricket news and interviews big names in the cricket world from at home and abroad. The latest episode is all about Alyssa’s retirement. Listen here.
Are we seeing more interest in women’s cricket?
The recent success of the Matildas, Australia’s national soccer team, has had a knock-on effect on other sports, like cricket.
Cricket Australia recorded a significant growth in female participation, with women’s sign-ups increasing by 26 per cent for the 2022-23 season, as per the official CA census. CA’s general manager of community cricket, James Allsopp, told the AAP that representation of professional female athletes, no matter the sport, is beneficial at all levels.
“For young girls to see that in multiple sports, there’s a genuine opportunity to make your career through sport; whether it’s through administration, coaching, officiating, but most importantly playing, so absolutely we’re seeing that flow through to the grassroots of the game.
“It’s just amazing what’s happened at the elite end and how it’s just having that flow-on effect to inspiring the next generation of girls coming through our grassroots program.”
