australian captain Alyssa Healy The host team retired from international cricket in the most appropriate way Won over India by 10 wickets In the only day-night Test at the WACA Ground, Perth on Sunday. The emphatic win, completed within three days, not only signaled a perfect farewell for the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman but also ensured a dominant win for Australia in the multi-format series against the reigning world champions.
Australia ends multi-format series against India with dominant Test win
India began its second innings on the third day at 105 for 6 with Australia still needing 20 more runs to avoid having to bat again. Debutant Pratika Raval showed commendable resilience and played a solid innings of 63 runs off 137 balls, but the visitors struggled to build a partnership around her. Australia’s bowlers tightened the screws early in the day, ensuring that India’s resistance did not last long.
Sneh Rana, who was supporting Raval, was eventually bowled by Ashley Gardner for 30. Soon after, Healy made an impact behind the stumps, taking a sharp catch at slip to dismiss Kashvi Gautam for duck off the bowling of Alanna King. King struck again shortly after, removing Sayali Satghare and Raval’s courageous innings finally came to an end when Annabel Sutherland took a brilliant diving catch at fine leg.
India’s innings collapsed soon after, leaving Australia with a modest target of 25 runs to win the match. Openers Georgia Woll (16 not out) and Phoebe Litchfield (11 not out) wasted little time in finishing the job, chasing the target in just 4.3 overs and sparking emotional celebrations among the home team.
Annabel Sutherland shines with remarkable all-round performance
The performer of the match was undoubtedly Annabel Sutherland, who produced a sensational all-round performance. The 24-year-old was named player of the match after scoring a brilliant 129 runs in Australia’s first innings and then taking 6 wickets for 61 runs in 23 overs. His century was another milestone in what is already shaping up to be a remarkable Test career. Sutherland now has four Test centuries, leaving her just one century shy of the overall record in women’s Test cricket.
Another experienced star also registered his name in the record books. Ellyse Perry made a valuable contribution of 76 runs in the first innings and in doing so took her Test run tally to 1006, surpassing Karen Rolton’s previous Australian record of 1002 runs in this format.
Alyssa Healy’s first departure from the team
Despite the match being almost decided, Alyssa Healy decided to keep the spotlight away from herself in her final appearance. With Australia needing only 25 runs to win, there were suggestions – including from coach Shelley Nitschke – that Healy might promote herself up the batting order for a memorable last innings. However, the captain stuck to her team-first philosophy and declined the opportunity.
“I was feeling a bit sad sitting in the changing room and realizing I wasn’t going to get a chance to come back.” Healy made the revelation after the match. “I won’t be coming back next week and sitting with that group of people. That hurts me more than anything cricket related.”
He further said: “It’s not what I’m about and it’s not what the team is about. We pride ourselves on being team-first and I didn’t want anything to disrupt that.”
Emotional farewell for Healy at WACA
Once victory was assured, the emotional significance of the moment became clear. Healy was carried off the field by longtime teammates Ellyse Perry and Ashley Gardner, a touching gesture that marked the end of her 16-year international career.
“To be honest, it had already affected me… I didn’t get a chance to go back in that changeroom and be around girls again,” an emotional Healy said. “But I’m going to enjoy the next part a little bit and sing the team’s song once again.”
The WACA scenes reflect the respect and admiration he has for him within the team and across the cricket world.
India’s young players showed their strength in the only test
Although the result was disappointing for India, the match gave encouraging signs for the future. With this defeat, India’s unbeaten streak of nine Test matches in women’s cricket since 2006 ended. However, several young players made notable contributions during the game.
Debutants Pratika Rawal, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaur and Kashvi Gautam all gained valuable experience at the international level. Raval’s fighting 63 in the second innings stood out as a particularly promising effort, demonstrating maturity and composure on a challenging WACA pitch.
See also: Darcey Brown beats Harmanpreet Kaur beautifully in the only AUS-W vs IND-W Test
Australia’s return to the series
The Test win also ensured a remarkable turnaround for Australia in the multi-format series. The hosts made a disappointing start to the competition and lost the T20I stage 2-1, raising questions about the start of Sophie Molineux’s captaincy era.
However, the return of Alyssa Healy for the ODI stage changed the team’s fortunes. Australia dominated the ODI series 3–0 and their resounding Test win ensured they finished the overall competition with a 12–4 mark. This was Australia’s first Test win over India since 2006, adding another layer of significance to the result.
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
