‘Mixed emotions’: Aussie skipper Healy to retire from cricket after India series

Legendary Australian captain Alyssa Healy is retiring from cricket after her team’s multi-format home series against India in February 2026, admitting it’s “been a long time coming” as she’s battled age and injuries in her 30s.

“The last few years has been probably more mentally draining than anything else. A few injuries. I’ve got to dive into the well, and the well is getting less and less full of water. Getting harder to dive back in there,” Healy said on Willow Talk, a podcast she regularly appears on. Healy had waited until the episode after the Ashes to announce her decision.

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“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. It’s with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last,” she said.

Healy, 35, will skip the T20I leg of the series so the Aussie side can start building combinations for the T20 World Cup this year, but will captain Australia for the ODI and Test matches. “There might be a little bit of change [against India], some leadership stuff. But for me, the opportunity to play at home, still captain the team in that series is going to be really special.”

“I never wanted to announce it, [and I] wanted to get to the end of the Test match, but with me not going into the T20 World Cup… It’s probably the place for me to make a decision and give the girls an opportunity to prepare for that World Cup, knowing I’m not going to be there. It has forced an announcement of sorts, but it has given me peace as well because I’ve known this in the back of my mind for six months. To finally say it and get it out there would be ideal for everyone to just clap it and move on.

“I’ll genuinely miss my teammates, singing the team song and walking out to open the batting for Australia,” she added. “Representing my country has been an incredible honour, and I’m grateful for one last series in the green and gold.”

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Healy debuted for Australia in 2010 and went on to appear in nearly 300 matches. Through her 15-year career, the legendary star has made more than 7,000 runs, earned 275 dismissals, and is one of the most successful cricket players of all time with eight World Cup titles. She also holds the record for the highest individual score in a World Cup Final.

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In 2019, she was awarded the Belinda Clark Award as Australia’s best women’s international cricketer, was twice named ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, and was a part of Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning side in 2022.

It’s expected Healy will stay on as a FOX commentator, where she was the breakout star of the 25-26 summer.