Australia's star wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, has been officially appointed as the captain across all three formats of the women's cricket team following the retirement of the long-serving skipper, Meg Lanning. The 33-year-old, who has been at the helm since June during series against England, Ireland, and West Indies, will now take on the leadership role permanently.
Healy's captaincy has been marked by notable achievements, and her formal appointment comes as a natural progression after steering the team through various challenges in recent months. Tahlia McGrath, fresh from guiding the Adelaide Strikers to back-to-back titles in the women's Big Bash League, has been named as the vice-captain, positioning her as a potential successor to Healy at 28 years old.
Expressing her gratitude and enthusiasm, Healy remarked, "I am honoured to accept the role of captain and am grateful for the opportunity to lead our team. I've really enjoyed the support of the players over the past few months and their encouragement to continue to be who I am and lead the group like I normally would from within."
Healy, who is married to Australian men's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, emphasized the exciting phase for the team, noting the emergence of exceptional young talent and the collective commitment to continuous growth and evolution. As Healy takes charge, the Australian women's cricket team looks ahead to an era shaped by her leadership and the promise of developing talent within the squad.