Cricket. A sport also known as the gentleman’s game, but in 2021, it’s not just men dominating the bat and ball series. Alyssa Healy, a brilliant wicketkeeper and batter for the Australian women’s team has made a name for herself in her own right. With her uncle being the legendary Ian Healy, the 31-year-old is quickly cementing herself as one of the nation’s most prominent cricket voices.
Known for her quick thinking behind the stumps, Alyssa, who has been playing the sport for over a decade now, has won five T20 World Cups, and just before her fifth win, she made an explosive 75 runs from just 39 balls.
Married to Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc, the two can definitely be considered a power couple, and their competitive spirit doesn’t just end on the pitch.
Starc, who just a few weeks ago won his first T20 World Cup to add to the Cricket World Cup he won in 2015, is three behind Alyssa, something that gets pointed out often.
“We’re pretty much competitive in every single activity we take part in. It’s pretty cool that he now has a second World Cup, but he’s quite a number behind me so we do speak about that quite regularly,” Alyssa told POPSUGAR Australia.
Jokes aside, the right-handed batter is inspiring young girls to follow in her footsteps. Players like Alyssa prove that cricket is not just a sport “for men”, but rather for everyone.
“I often just say why not? Why not just choose cricket. There are so many fantastic opportunities for young girls to get started in cricket, and to stay involved in cricket nowadays with different pathways available to them. Which I think is absolutely amazing, and quite honestly some of the skills you learn playing cricket are skills for life,” she said. “If there are any young girls thinking about playing cricket then jump right in and give it a crack, and see if you enjoy it.”
The sport, which Alyssa says “changed me for the better” taught her so much about herself, and now, after playing for almost 15 years, she reflects back on her journey and acknowledges the life lessons she has learnt along the way.
“It teaches you little life skills, such as camaraderie, working with others, friendship. It’s definitely changed me for the better. I feel as if I’m a more mellow, calm and kinder human being. And I think cricket has enabled me to be that person.”
Aware of her influence and the disparity between men and women’s cricket, Alyssa is hoping to use her voice for good, so those after her, especially young women, can also take part in the sport and have equal opportunities to their male counterparts.
“For me, it’s trying to make the game better for everybody, and that includes the next generation coming through. There’s those before me who changed the game which enabled me to play and be a professional athlete. So it’s my job to reciprocate that and make it better. If I can do that then I’ll feel that I’ve contributed both on and off the field,” she said.
As for her cricketing heroes, Alyssa initially idolised a male player, and while she still deeply admires his work, things took a turn once she met the women’s team at a young age.
“I grew up wanting to bat like Ricky Ponting because the men were the only ones we could watch on the telly. I wanted to do everything exactly like him. But once I saw that the women played too, and I met the Aussie team, that was a pretty special moment where I thought, ‘I could do this too’. I looked up to the likes of Belinda Clarke and Lisa Sthalekar in particular. She’s had a big influence in my career so far.”
Alyssa has experienced a phenomenal career so far, and we’re sure it’s only going to go up from here. From inspiring those who want to be like her, to raising her voice for the right reasons, the athlete is making all the right moves.
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