Alyssa Healy: Australia's goal is to win T20 World Cup
Alyssa Healy, the captain of Australia's women's cricket team, has clarified their objective for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite their three consecutive title wins since 2016, Healy emphasized that they are not in Asia to defend their title but to secure another victory. "You don't come here to defend the title, that's not what the World Cup is about, you come here to win it," she stated during a pre-tournament media session on Wednesday. Here's more.
Healy acknowledges challenges in Group A
Healy acknowledged the challenges posed by their group, which includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. She expressed her excitement for these upcoming matches and emphasized the need for quick adaptation throughout the tournament. "The whole tournament, in general, is about adapting the quickest," Healy said. "That seems to be the way."
Healy's 1st T20 World Cup as full-time captain
This will be Healy's first T20 World Cup as full-time captain, a role she assumed last December following Meg Lanning's retirement from international cricket. Despite this new responsibility, Healy remains unfazed by the pressure and is ready to face the challenges ahead. "I wouldn't say I still have full control," she joked during the media session.
Australia's campaign and ICC's venue change
Australia will begin their campaign on October 6 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, followed by matches against New Zealand and Pakistan in Dubai. Their league engagements will conclude with a match against India in Sharjah on October 13. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had to relocate the 10-team event to the UAE due to political unrest in Bangladesh back in August.
Healy is closing in on 3,000 WT20I runs
In 159 matches, Healy owns 2,987 runs at an average of 25.31. She is 13 runs shy of the 3,000-run mark. In addition to one ton, she has slammed 17 fifties. She is closing in on 400 fours (399).