The Australian side after peeking to unmatched heights were looking to negotiate through a turmoil that first saw them without a permanent head coach, which now has Shelley Nitschke in the role and then followed Racheal Haynes’ retirement, which left the side scouting for a vice-captain and now has ended their search confirming Alyssa Healy’s name for the role.
Alyssa Healy on the vice-captain’s role said, “It’s a privilege to have been offered the vice-captaincy of any Australian team, let alone one that’s tasted as much success as this one. Rach (Rachael Haynes) played a key role in supporting Meg (Lanning) as well as driving the values and culture of the team and while she leaves big shoes to fill, I’m looking forward to helping lead this side alongside Meg and Shell (Shelley Nitschke).
It’s a really exciting time to be involved with this team; we’ve seen personnel changes as well as the emergence of incredible young talent, and with a T20 World Cup and away Ashes just around the corner, I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career.”
Alyssa Healy named the new Vice Captain for Australia Women’s Cricket Team#CricketTwitter
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 20, 2022
Racheal Haynes’ when missed last summers cricket, Alyssa Healy served as Meg Lanning’s deputy and now with uncertainty levels rising around Meg Lanning’s return to the team even purely as a batter, it’s likely that Alyssa Healy could initially move on from being a stand-in skipper to leading the side full-time.
Alyssa Healy on the above, in interaction with cricket.com.au, said, “I am positive she will be back around Australian cricket, and in what role I am not 100 percent certain. That is a decision for Meg and one that I in particular am really supportive of her making.
Whatever role I play in the summer I am happy with. If she comes back and says this is my team and I want to play and captain, it’s a great thing for Australian cricket. But if it’s the flip side of that and there is a conversation about me having to take over then that is really exciting for me.”
The summer of cricket has just got underway in Australia and the time from the 1st phase of the Women’s National Cricket League (W-NCL) has moved on to the ongoing 8th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (W-BBL) post which Cricket Australia (CA) contracted players get busy with the international schedule.
The team this summer first plays a series against India in December and early next year (2023) in January are scheduled to play a 6-match white-ball series against Pakistan in their lead-up to South Africa where they’ll look to defend their ICC T20 Women’s World Cup title.
Head of Performance for Women’s Cricket and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said, “We’re delighted that Alyssa has agreed to take on the role of vice-captain and look forward to the contribution she can make in tandem with Meg. Alyssa is an outstanding leader on and off the field and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
We have great confidence in Alyssa, Meg and Shelley leading the team during an exciting 12-month period that will see the team defend its T20 World Cup title and look to retain the Ashes on English soil.”
Australia even confirmed the names of Dan Marsh and Scott Prestwidge as new assistants to head coach, Shelley Nitschke following Ben Sawyer’s exit.
Shawn Flegler on the above said, “Dan and Scott are high-quality coaches and we’re thrilled to have them join Shelley and the team. Both have previously spent time with the group, are highly respected, and bring complementary skills, knowledge, and experience.
“Dan played a pivotal role working with the spinners during the Commonwealth Games and Scott has provided support to the fast bowlers on several occasions, it’s great to have them on board full-time.”
Quote Source: cricket.com.au