‘Make my own mark’: Alyssa Healy confirmed as new captain of Aussie women’s cricket team

Alyssa Healy has been confirmed as the new captain of the Australian women’s cricket team.

Healy will lead the team into a new era following the retirement of Meg Lanning, while Tahlia McGrath will serve as vice-captain.

Australia’s long-time wicketkeeper and Fox Cricket commentator, Healy, 33, has played 255 games across her superb international career spanning across 14 seasons.

Watch Australia v Pakistan on Kayo Sports. Every Test match Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

She has ample leadership experience under her belt including stepping in as interim skipper for Australia multiple times, having led the team since June in series against England, Ireland and West Indies.

Healy has also captained New South Wales at domestic level and was the Sydney Sixers vice-captain for the first seven WBBL seasons.

But after Lanning called time on her international career last month, Healy now takes over the Australian captaincy duties on a full-time basis in an exciting new chapter for the veteran’s career.

“I am honoured to accept the role of captain and am grateful for the opportunity to lead our team,” Healy said.

“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.

“My approach will remain consistent to what it has been previously, but I’ll make my own mark on the role and be sure that I’m doing the best I possibly can for this group to maintain the success that we’ve had.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved with this team, we’re seeing the emergence of incredible young talent and are challenging ourselves to continually evolve as a group.”

Cricket Australia high performance manager Ben Oliver was excited about the team’s direction under Healy’s lead.

“Alyssa is an outstanding player and leader who has earned enormous respect both on and off the field,” he said.

“Alyssa brings a wealth of experience to the role, and we have great confidence in her ability to successfully lead the Australian women’s team in tandem with Tahlia as vice-captain.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a talented and experienced group of players who will provide great support to Alyssa and Tahlia as the team evolves and seeks to build on its outstanding performances.”

McGrath similarly brings invaluable leadership experience to the table and now shapes as Healy’s potential successor.

The 28-year old just played a key role in the Adelaide Strikers winning back-to-back WBBL titles as their vice-captain, while McGrath has also twice captained Australia over the past 12 months when Healy was absent.

“It’s a privilege to have been offered the vice-captaincy of the Australian women’s team and I’m excited to support Alyssa as she takes on the captaincy,” McGrath said.

“Alyssa and I have played together for a long time, we know our respective leadership styles well and I look forward to helping her lead our group as we embark on a busy, but exciting international schedule.”