Alyssa Healy, Australia’s captain, has led her nation for the last time as she retires from international cricket after a crushing 10-wicket win over India.
Her legendary international career includes six T20 World Cup wins, two ODI world cup wins and a near three-year captaincy.
The final win that came within three days in the one-off day-night Test against India – it capped off the 12-4 multi-format series won by Australia.
“We’re watching the future of Australian cricket walk out there and open, and I didn’t want to get in the way of that,” Healy said about not putting herself up to bat.
“I’ve had my time in the sun, so it’s time for the next generation to showcase what they can do.
“It hit me just before that I don’t get to come into that change room again being around the girls … but I’m genuinely really excited to watch the group of amazing people moving forward led by [new captain] Sophie Molineux.
“I think they’re going to achieve some great things.”
“While you’re in the thick of representing your country competing at the highest level, you’re in this little bubble and you just want to win games and compete.
“You probably don’t really realise what’s going on outside, so to feel that for the first time and enjoy that over the last week, it’s been amazing,”
The opening two days of the Test were dominated by seam bowling, but just an hour into the third day’s play spinners Alana King and Ash Gardner took India’s final four wickets to close out their second innings.
Celebrations centred around Healy, as Gardner and Ellyse Perry lifted their skipper onto their shoulders for one last celebration all together.
