“They’re supportive of me regardless of what I do and what decisions I make, so I’m really grateful to have that backing. In particular, for someone like Mitch to just say, I’ve got your back, and whatever you decide to do, you know we can make it work. So I’m really lucky in that regard.”
Healy, 35, made her national team debut in 2010 and was named captain in 2023. She earned a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022 and led Australia to a clean sweep win over England in the 2025 women’s Ashes.
Australian Cricket Women Team Captain Alyssa Healy with her parents Greg and Sandy Healy after announcing her retirement from all forms of cricket in February. Credit: Kate Geraghty
She’s twice been named ICC women’s T20I cricketer of the year, and won the Belinda Clark Award in 2019 as Australia’s best female international cricketer. Domestically, she was a founding Sydney Sixers team member and has compiled more than 3000 runs across 11 seasons in the women’s Big Bash League, lifting the trophy twice.
But it’s the achievements off the pitch, including seeing the women’s game turn professional, that Healy is most proud of.
“It’s probably only today that that’s really hit me, that actually probably means more to me than the runs on the board or the dismissals. It’s about growing the game and inspiring the next generation.”
Her mum, Sandy, agreed.
Australia’s women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy with her parents Sandy and Greg Healy and husband Mitch Starc (back to camera) on Tuesday moments before officially announcing her retirement.Credit: Kate Geraghty
“We’re very proud,” she said. “When Alyssa first started playing in this sport, it was just the families that sat together in a little huddle. Now to think they had close to 90,000 people [when] playing at Melbourne not so long ago,” she said. “I mean that’s a tremendous increase in people watching women’s cricket in particular.”
Although Healy wouldn’t reveal future career plans on Tuesday, many – including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – expect she’ll continue commentating.
“Alyssa Healy is a legend. She has had such an incredible career playing for Australia and leading Australia,” Albanese said during a press conference.
“I think she’s a great cricket commentator. I think, you know, my two favourite commentators are both women, one from Australia, one from England at the moment, I think are just outstanding. And we certainly wish Alyssa all the very best.”
Alyssa Healy at the SCG in 2023.Credit: Getty Images for Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg added his voice to the chorus of praise, writing that Healy was one of the all-time great cricketers, but would be equally remembered for her contributions off the pitch.
Indeed, after the press conference had ended and Healy had changed from green and gold back to her NSW kit, a group of young boys emerged from the nets to find her. One by one, they presented their gloves for her to sign.
“I feel like the cricket side of it’s one thing,” Healy said. “But it’s the little moments and the interactions that I feel like I’ve had outside of the game to whether it be inspiring a young girl or boy to pick up the game or to talk to somebody about the game, that’s really what’s made this all special.”
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