Published: Jan 13, 2026, 09:58 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 13, 2026, 11:06 AM (IST)
Australian women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy has announced she will retire from international cricket in March after playing a home series against India. The announcement brings an end to her outstanding 15-year career with Australia.
Now 35 years old, Healy has scored more than 7,000 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals since making her debut in 2010. As a wicketkeeper-batter, she has completed 275 dismissals and is considered one of the greatest players in the history of women’s cricket.
During her career, Healy has won eight World Cup titles – six T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups. She took over as Australia captain in late 2023 after Meg Lanning retired from international cricket.
Among her many records, Healy holds the highest individual score in an ODI World Cup final, scoring 170 against England in 2022. She also scored the most runs ever in a women’s T20 international with 148 not out against Sri Lanka in 2019 and has the most dismissals in T20 internationals by any player, male or female, with 126.
“It’s with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia,” she said in a statement announcing her retirement Tuesday. “I’m still passionate about playing for Australia but I’ve somewhat lost that competitive edge that’s kept me driven since the start, so the time feels right to call it a day.
“Knowing I won’t be going to the T20 World Cup this year and the limited preparation time the team has, I won’t be part of the T20s against India, but I’m excited to have the opportunity to finish my career and captain the ODI and test side at home against India – one of the biggest series on the calendar for us.“
Healy revealed she has been ready to retire for about three months and explained that the constant competition has taken a toll.
“Every contest I wanted to be a part of and wanted to compete, and it’s probably drained me a bit more over the years,” Healy was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press. “The opportunity to finish at home is something I really wanted to do.“
Australia’s upcoming series against India will include three T20 internationals from Feb. 15-21, followed by three one-day internationals from Feb. 24-March 1, and ending with a test match in Perth from March 6-9. If Healy plays five matches in the series, she will reach the milestone of 300 international appearances.
Away from playing, Healy has become a well-known television commentator in recent years, including appearances during the men’s Ashes series. She is married to Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc and is the niece of former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg praised her legacy, saying Alyssa Healy “is one of the all-time greats of the game and has made an immeasurable contribution both on and off the field . . . We look forward to celebrating her achievements throughout the series against India.”
Speaking in interviews on Tuesday, Healy did not give clear details about her plans after retiring from international cricket.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a lot of opportunities outside of the game in the last 12 to 18 months, But I still feel like I can contribute to the game… it’s given me so much and I still owe a lot to cricket,” she said.
