Alyssa Healy’s retirement from cricket marks the close of one of the most successful careers in Australian sporting history. A World Cup winner, long-time wicketkeeper and national captain, Healy leaves behind a legacy defined by consistency, leadership and big-match performances. As her international journey draws to a close, it is the voice of her husband, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, that has provided some of the clearest insight into her impact and what lies ahead.
Starc’s response to Healy’s retirement announcement was grounded in pride and perspective. “Proud of everything she’s achieved,” he said, a short but powerful reflection of a career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level of the game.
He has seen that journey unfold from the very beginning. Starc recalled sitting at Bankstown Oval when Healy was first presented with the baggy green, a moment that marked the start of what would become a defining era for Australian women’s cricket. “I remember sitting at the Bankstown Oval when she was presented with the baggy green and you know seen her and the Australian team through many World Cups and have so much success as a group, her personally as well with some big game contributions in the World Cup,” he said.
Those contributions helped shape Australia’s dominance across formats, with Healy becoming one of the most influential wicketkeepers batters the game has produced. Yet Starc’s comments focused less on statistics and more on her growth, particularly as she begins to explore life beyond playing.
That transition has already begun this summer, with Healy stepping into the commentary box during international matches. According to Starc, the response to her media work has taken even her by surprise. “Whether she says it or not, I think it’s something she’s really good at,” he said. “She certainly enjoys it, and I think she’s got a good crew there to bounce off.”
Starc noted that the praise has been overwhelming. “She’s been quite taken aback, I guess, by the positive or the over the top, how good she’s been,” he said, pointing to how naturally her understanding of the game has translated into broadcasting.
Despite the retirement announcement, Starc was also quick to emphasise that Healy’s immediate focus remains firmly on the field. Australia is preparing for a high-stakes series against India, and he stressed that her role as captain is far from complete. “Still got a series to win for Australia, as a captain as well,” he said.
That comment highlights the competitive drive that has defined Healy’s career. Even as she prepares to step away from international cricket, she remains committed to finishing on her own terms, leading from the front and setting standards for those who will follow.
Starc’s reflections offered a rare personal lens into a public career. Rather than framing her retirement as an ending, his words painted it as a continuation shaped by experience, confidence and opportunity. From her first cap at Bankstown to World Cup triumphs and now a growing presence in the media, the journey has been marked by constant evolution.
As Alyssa Healy prepares for her final international appearances, the spotlight will remain on her achievements and her leadership with Australia from 15 February to 9 March 2026, when the multi-format home series against India concludes with three T20 Internationals, three ODIs and the one-off Test match in Perth. Through it all, Mitchell Starc’s pride stands out as a reminder that behind every great career is a story built on support, shared moments and unwavering belief.
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