- Fairytale Finish:Â Alyssa Healy scored a blistering 158 off 98 balls in her final ODI appearance.
- Historic Knock:Â It was the highest individual score by an Australian woman in ODIs on home soil.
- Series Sweep:Â Australia sealed a 3-0 series clean sweep against India with a 185-run victory in Hobart.
- One More Hurdle:Â Healy will bid a final farewell to all cricket in the one-off Test against India starting Friday.
Hobart: In a script that could only be written by the cricket gods themselves, retiring Australian captain Alyssa Healy bowed out of ODI cricket in breathtaking fashion, smashing a career-best 158 off 98 balls against India at the Bellerive Oval on Sunday.
The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who announced her retirement from all forms of the game earlier this year, produced a masterclass in power-hitting to guide Australia to a comprehensive 185-run victory, completing a 3-0 series sweep. It was the highest individual score by an Australian woman in ODIs on home soil.
“What a ridiculous sport that we play, that it can kick you down so many times and then give you opportunities like it has today,” an elated Healy told reporters after the match.
“I’ve hated every milestone match, so this was just an opportunity to go out and enjoy it. It was one of the more enjoyable experiences I’ve had, so thanks to the cricket gods for that, it was a nice way to sign off in the yellow (kit).”
A Knock for the Ages
Walking out to bat for the final time in the 50-over format, Healy was in imperious touch from the outset. She decimated the Indian bowling attack, finding the boundary with ease and clearing the ropes at will. Her innings of 158 was laced with breathtaking stroke play, ensuring the home crowd witnessed something truly special.
She found strong support from Beth Mooney, who remained unbeaten on 106, as the pair put together a massive partnership that deflated the Indian bowling attack.
The End of an Era
Healy’s innings drew the curtain on a remarkable 126-match ODI career that began in 2010. She finishes her 50-over journey with 3,777 runs and eight centuries to her name, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters the women’s game has ever seen.
However, the fairytale is not quite over. Healy will don the Baggy Green one last time for a one-off Test match against India, starting in Perth on Friday. If her ODI farewell is any indication, the cricket world may be in for another treat.
