Alyssa Healy ended her ODI career with a century and a win as she led Australia to a 185-run win over world champions India in the third and final match on Sunday to sweep the series 3-0.
The 35-year-old captain scored 158 while Beth Mooney remained unbeaten on 106 as Australia posted 409 in seven games. India were bowled out for 224 in 45.1 overs.
Healy, who was named man of the match, reflected on her last ODI at the award ceremony.
“I just think it’s so ridiculous that we play a sport that can knock you down so many times and then give you an opportunity like today,” she said.
“I hate every milestone game, so today was just an opportunity to go out and enjoy it. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had.
So thank the cricket gods. Yes, that’s a great way to end with yellow. “
Healy also bowled 12 runs in two overs in her last ODI. She will retire from international cricket after the one-off pink-ball Test against India in Perth on March 6.
When asked whether she was more satisfied with batting or bowling, she replied: “Oh, bowling, of course. It didn’t take long to be convinced.”
“I heard my name being mentioned and I was right but to finish the ODI stages like we did, yeah, it makes me very proud. And looking forward to going to the WACA now and getting into the pink ball.”
She praised Mooney and spoke about the future of the team.
“Beth Mooney has been outstanding. The future of our team is bright. I look forward to seeing them continue their career over the next few years leading up to the World Cup next day.
“I think they’re going to do some amazing things again.”
On presenting the hat to Lucy Hamilton, Healy said: “I was really good this morning and then as I was writing it all down and realizing what it meant to make my debut and get this hat, I realized how special and lucky I have been over the last 15 years to be able to do it as many times as I have. So, that was a very special experience.”
“She has a very bright future and I hope she gets a wicket tonight, but to end up with a yellow cap and hopefully another 15 years of coaching is really special.”
Looking ahead to the Test match, Healy said: “To put ourselves in a good position now we don’t have to win, which I think is obviously a good sign for the series, but we’re also going to win.”
“The WACA pink ball, we’ve never experienced that before. The WACA wicket has done some interesting things for us in Test cricket and white-ball cricket over the last few years.
“So, looking forward to seeing what happens. But any time this group of guys wears something baggy and green is extra special. So I’m looking forward to doing that.”
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said her team has not performed well in the ODI series.
“Overall, we didn’t play good cricket. In T20s, we did everything right and in ODIs, we didn’t play good cricket. It cost us.
“It’s a long game and you have to do the right things again and again. I think we made too many mistakes.
“Credit to Australia too, they did play some good cricket but they didn’t give us a chance to bounce back.”
On the upcoming Tests, she added: “We have learned a lot and we will definitely go back and think about how we have to proceed in ODI cricket. Keeping everyone in a good frame of mind, I think that is very important.
“I know we have very little time to prepare, but I think now it’s just a matter of believing in yourself, keeping a good mentality and doing the right things for the team.”
