Alyssa Healy is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever taken the field, renowned for her explosive batting, lightning-quick reflexes behind the stumps, and unwavering passion for the game. As a trailblazing wicket-keeper batter, Healy has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, earning her a reputation as one of the most dominant forces in women’s cricket.
In a recent episode of the Willow Talk podcast, which she co-hosts with Adam Peacock and Bradley Haddin, Healy shared a hidden gem of women’s cricket history, showcasing her pride and admiration for the often-overlooked stories of the sport.
She revealed that women actually invented overarm bowling, explaining that “The women actually invented overarm bowling… because they couldn’t get around their skirts, so they had to go up and over.” In essence, the restrictive clothing of the time forced women to adapt and innovate, leading to the development of overarm bowling.
Adam Peacock’s fact-checking revealed that Christina Willis, a pioneering female cricketer, allegedly began throwing the ball over her head to avoid her skirts getting in the way, paving the way for overarm bowling in the 1800s. Healy couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and ownership, quipping, “It’s a bad thing to say, but it’s like one of our claims to cricket, right? We get bagged for not being as good as the boys all the time… but we invented overarm bowling.”
As the Australian skipper recently celebrated her 35th birthday on March 24th, her personal life has also been in the spotlight. Healy is married to Mitchell Starc, a household name in men’s cricket. In a lighthearted moment on the Willow Talk podcast, Adam Peacock asked Healy about the best gift Starc had ever given her.
With a hint of mischief, she joked, “Being in the IPL!” – a tongue-in-cheek reference to Starc’s lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) deals, including a whopping ₹24.75 crore to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and ₹11.75 crore to Delhi Capitals in 2025. Adam Peacock erupted in laughter, acknowledging, “I can’t argue with that… it’s just there, it is, it makes sense. No need to touch it, no need to go anywhere near it, just leave it right there.”
Healy playfully agreed, saying Starc has spoiled her with thoughtful presents, but this year’s IPL deal takes the cake. Adam Peacock chuckled, suggesting last year’s deal might have been even better.
Healy has been navigating a challenging injury layoff, which ruled her out of the T20I portion of the Women’s Ashes and also forced her to miss the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
She will be eyeing a return to the field at the Women’s Hundred, ahead of a crucial ODI series in India in September, which serves as a precursor to the World Cup. With her leadership and batting prowess Healy remains a vital cog in the Australian women’s cricket team, and her fans eagerly await her return to action.
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