NAVI MUMBAI: Australiathe substitute captain of Alyssa Healy is looking forward to leading the team in a five-game T20I series in India, a country that holds a special place for her as it was here that she earned her first cap four years ago.
The wicketkeeper, who also opens batting, scored her first international hundred during Australia’s 2018 tour of India when she hit a 115-ball 133 in a 97-run win at the third ODI in Vadodara.
“It’s a great place to travel. For me personally, it’s nice to be back here. The place holds good memories; the first hundred will last a lifetime.” Healthy said here on the eve of their five-game T20I series opener.
For both teams, the series starts the countdown to the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February next year.
In their last meeting, Australia defeated India en route to the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham.
“I am very happy to play against a top-class team. It’s great to be back, we’ve been here for a long time. It’s exciting for me as captain,” said Healy, who took over the reins after regular skipper Meg Lanning was taking an indefinite personal sabbatical.
“We’re obviously aware of the danger of the power they (India) hold so it’s great for cricket too. We know we have a fight ahead.”
The captaincy is an added responsibility, but she’s enjoying every bit of it.
“It’s an extra challenge, opening, wicket keeping and captain. But I love high pressure situations, it’s about managing the workload. I’m fortunate to have good leaders to lean on. I have no ego, if that’s the case comes to the fore.”
Healy also spoke about the talented youngster Shafali Verma, who will lead the India U-19 team at the inaugural U-19 World Cup in South Africa next month.
Both Shafali and Richa Ghosh, who are also part of the senior team, will join the U-19 camp ahead of the World Cup and will not be available for the full series against Australia.
Healy believes her presence will help the younger players. Both have been with the Indian senior team for some time and have performed at ICC events.
“Some of these young players will have the opportunity to meet with these players who have already played international games at the highest level,” said Healy.
“If you stack your U-19 side with your full-strength international side that could be a problem, but in my view for these young players who are coming through, having Shafali and Richa Ghosh will only do wonders as they can thinking about what works and what doesn’t work well in international cricket and that’s a great thing,” she added.
The wicketkeeper, who also opens batting, scored her first international hundred during Australia’s 2018 tour of India when she hit a 115-ball 133 in a 97-run win at the third ODI in Vadodara.
“It’s a great place to travel. For me personally, it’s nice to be back here. The place holds good memories; the first hundred will last a lifetime.” Healthy said here on the eve of their five-game T20I series opener.
For both teams, the series starts the countdown to the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February next year.
In their last meeting, Australia defeated India en route to the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham.
“I am very happy to play against a top-class team. It’s great to be back, we’ve been here for a long time. It’s exciting for me as captain,” said Healy, who took over the reins after regular skipper Meg Lanning was taking an indefinite personal sabbatical.
“We’re obviously aware of the danger of the power they (India) hold so it’s great for cricket too. We know we have a fight ahead.”
The captaincy is an added responsibility, but she’s enjoying every bit of it.
“It’s an extra challenge, opening, wicket keeping and captain. But I love high pressure situations, it’s about managing the workload. I’m fortunate to have good leaders to lean on. I have no ego, if that’s the case comes to the fore.”
Healy also spoke about the talented youngster Shafali Verma, who will lead the India U-19 team at the inaugural U-19 World Cup in South Africa next month.
Both Shafali and Richa Ghosh, who are also part of the senior team, will join the U-19 camp ahead of the World Cup and will not be available for the full series against Australia.
Healy believes her presence will help the younger players. Both have been with the Indian senior team for some time and have performed at ICC events.
“Some of these young players will have the opportunity to meet with these players who have already played international games at the highest level,” said Healy.
“If you stack your U-19 side with your full-strength international side that could be a problem, but in my view for these young players who are coming through, having Shafali and Richa Ghosh will only do wonders as they can thinking about what works and what doesn’t work well in international cricket and that’s a great thing,” she added.
