Alyssa Healy’s Farewell
“I am going to sing that team song one last time, but happy to see this team going forward and get some good results. The last week or so has been amazing,” said Alyssa Healy after Australia Women secured a decisive victory over India Women in a one-off Test match at WACA Ground in Perth on March 8, 2026. This match marked not only a significant win for Australia but also Healy’s final appearance in international cricket.
Match Overview
Australia won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that paid off as they bowled India out for 149 runs in their second innings. Pratika Rawal, making her Test debut, stood out with a commendable score of 63 runs, while Sneh Rana contributed 30 runs. Despite these efforts, India found themselves trailing significantly, starting Day 3 at 105/6, needing to overcome a 20-run deficit.
Australia’s Dominance
Australia Women, having already clinched the multi-format series 12-4 with this victory, showcased their dominance by chasing down a modest target of 25 runs in just 4.3 overs. Annabel Sutherland was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance, further solidifying Australia’s position in women’s cricket.
This match followed India’s successful start to their tour, where they had secured a 2-1 victory in the T20I series against Australia. However, the transition to ODIs and Tests proved challenging, as highlighted by Harmanpreet Kaur’s reflection: “We started well in T20Is with a series win, but could not continue the good work in ODIs and Tests but playing a full series in Australia was a good experience.”
Looking Ahead
With the series now concluded, India Women will reflect on their performance and the lessons learned during this tour. The team aimed to draw the series at 8-8 with a victory in the four-day encounter, but the outcome has left them with much to consider for future competitions.
Conclusion of a Chapter
Alyssa Healy’s retirement marks the end of an era for Australian women’s cricket. Her contributions to the team have been invaluable, and her departure will be felt both on and off the field. As Australia Women look to the future, they will undoubtedly build on the successes achieved during this series.
