Alyssa Healy Honored at SCG as She Announces Retirement from Cricket
Alyssa Healy's Tribute at the Big Bash League
During the Big Bash League (BBL) 2026 match between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, cricket legend Alyssa Healy was celebrated with a lap of honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This tribute recognized her remarkable contributions to the Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). Over her WBBL career, Healy participated in 129 matches, amassing 3,125 runs with an average of 25.82 and a strike rate of 133.71. Her highest score was an impressive 112 not out, complemented by five centuries and 15 fifties, alongside 60 catches and 45 stumpings. Congratulations on an exceptional career, Alyssa Healy! A lap of honour for the Aussie & Sixers icon at the SCG #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/ALEWoUnBVH — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Healy's Retirement Announcement
On January 13, Healy revealed her retirement from all forms of cricket, coinciding with the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She stated that the series against India at home in February-March would mark her final appearance in Australian colours. The 35-year-old shared this news on the Willow Talk podcast, saying, "I’m officially announcing today that I will retire from cricket at the end of the Indian series. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was necessary at some point."
Challenges Leading to Retirement
Healy expressed that her decision had been a long time in the making, citing the mental toll of recent years, particularly due to injuries. "It’s been a long time coming. The last few years have been more mentally draining than anything else. A few injuries have made it tough. I’ve had to dive into the well, and that well is getting less and less full of water. It’s becoming harder to dive back in there," she explained.
Final Matches in Australian Colours
India is set to tour Australia in February-March for a series consisting of three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test. Healy will not participate in the T20I matches to allow Australia to prepare for the T20 World Cup later this year. However, she will play in the ODIs before concluding her career with the one-off Test at the WACA from March 6-9.
A Legacy of Success
Alyssa Healy is celebrated as an eight-time World Cup champion, having won the Women's T20 World Cup in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023, along with the ODI World Cup in 2013 and 2022.