In an emotional moment at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, the Indian women’s cricket team formed a guard of honor for the Australian captain. Alyssa Healy when she walked out to bat in her final One Day International (ODI) on Sunday, March 1. The exquisite gesture marked the end of a brilliant 16-year career for one of the game’s all-time greats, as Healy opened the batting with Phoebe Lichfield in front of an adoring crowd.
Guard of Honor marks an emotional farewell for Alyssa Healy
Indian players stood on both sides of the pitch and applauded Healy when he came to the crease for the last time in ODI cricket. The moment holds special significance considering the intense rivalry between the two countries during the multi-format series. Healy’s counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur Tributes were paid acknowledging the immense contribution the Australian captain has made to women’s cricket over almost two decades.
Here is the video:
For the last time in ODI cricket, Alyssa Healy walked into the middle with the bat for India along with the guard of honour. pic.twitter.com/GQcKDplzh6
– 7cricket (@7cricket) 1 March 2026
Australia leads 2-0 in three-match ODI series
3rd ODI Healy’s departure served as a fitting platform for Australia, having already clinched the 50-over series after wins in Brisbane and Hobart in the earlier week. Georgia Woll’s second international century gave Australia a five-wicket win in the second ODI, completing the series win with a game to spare.
In the series opener at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, Healy demonstrated he still had the class that defined his career, scoring 50 from 70 balls. win by six wickets. his longtime starting partner beth mooneywho top-scored with 76, paid tribute to Healy’s influence by saying “She makes my life easier” At the crease.
Alyssa Healy’s ODI career: unmatched achievements
Healy’s retirement from ODIs marks the end of an era in Australian cricket. Since her debut in February 2010, the 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has scored over 3,500 ODI runs, including seven centuries, and has established herself as one of the most prolific wicketkeepers in women’s international cricket with over 250 dismissals across all formats.
His trophy cabinet includes a Commonwealth Games gold medal as well as seven World Cup wins – one ODI and six T20 titles. Healy’s performances on the biggest stages have elevated her to legendary status, notably her record-breaking 170 in the 2022 ODI World Cup final against England, which was the highest individual score in a Women’s World Cup final.
Apart from her batting and wicketkeeping, Healy took over the captaincy following the retirement of Meg Lanning at the end of 2023, and led her country with distinction in the final stages of her career.
“The timing feels right”: Healy decides to retire
Healy announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in January, revealing on his co-host Willow Talk podcast that the decision came after months of contemplation. “It is with mixed feelings that the upcoming India series will be my last series for Australia,” Healy said in a statement. “I’m still excited about playing for Australia, but I’ve lost some of the competitive edge that kept me motivated from the beginning, so now feels like the right time to call it quits.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman acknowledged the physical and mental toll of international cricket, particularly in recent years. “The last few years have probably been more mentally draining than anything else. A few injuries, diving into a well a couple of times, and that well was getting less and less full of water, so it was getting harder to dive back in there.”
While Sunday marked Healy’s ODI farewell, there is still a chapter left in his remarkable career. She will lead Australia in the one-off Test against India at the WACA Ground in Perth from March 6, in what will be her final appearance in the green and gold. Cricket Australia has honored his contribution by renaming the famous WACA Hill ‘Healy Hill’ for the match, ensuring fans can properly celebrate one of the country’s greatest cricketers.
Also read: Will Indian superstars be seen in Bangladesh Women’s Premier League? BCB gave update
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
