Australia skipper Alyssa Healy feels that the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 tournament will serve as an opportunity for youngsters and named some young faces to watch out for in the competition.
Healy also believes that the young members of Australia’s squad can continue the legacy as the best team in the sport.
Healy took over the captaincy from Meg Lanning who retired from international cricket last year and will be leading the side to defend the champions title once again.
Healy has amassed 2987 runs in 159 T20Is at an average of 25.31 and a strike rate of 129.47 with a century and 17 fifties with a high score of 148*.
Australia’s challenges will be aiming for a seventh World Cup title and a fourth in a row. A new location in UAE will pose new challenges to champions and the side evolve with a younger group shouldering more responsibility.
Reflection on tournament highlights, Healy said, “Representing your country in (a World Cup) means a lot and we have created some treasured memories in this competition.
“In particular, winning the T20 World Cup at home in 2020 was a huge highlight for a lot of our group. To have the final at the MCG in front of 86,174 spectators was an amazing experience.
“T20 World Cups are really hard to win – it’s the best against the best and whoever can be most consistent or win those little moments along the way can get the job done.”
Australia’s five members of the 14-player squad are 25 years of age or younger, though all boast extensive international experience and will improve on what had already been a world champion group.
“All 10 teams have a shot to win it and with some foreign conditions for a lot of the teams, it will be really interesting to watch unfold.
“Playing in the UAE is a new experience for our group. Only a few of us have gone over and trained or played practice games over there so it’s a new place to see, which is exciting.
“The conditions are slightly unknown; however, I feel we are well equipped to handle whatever is thrown our way,” added Alyssa Healy.
Australia’s batting order has been boasted with the likes of all-rounders Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux potentially batting as no.7 to 9.
Healy emphasized that Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield are the players to watch in the UAE.
“I am looking forward to our group now coming together for this competition and an exciting thing about our squad this tournament is our young players.
“They are super exciting to watch and have had some experience on the international stage over the past few seasons so are ready to go,” said Alyssa Healy.
“It obviously helps having some old, experienced heads around them to steer us in the right direction but watching the next generation play the game is pretty fun to watch.
“I would suggest keeping an eye on Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield, in particular, during this tournament.”
After a 3-0 series win against New Zealand on home soil, Healy has rested for some time with several teammates competing in various domestic T20 leagues held overseas.
“The opportunities to now play cricket all year round, or choose not to, is amazing and allows players to individually prepare how they want.
“It’s great to see so many of our players enjoying their cricket and primed for the World Cup.”
“We go into this World Cup with a really well-rounded group and a strong squad of players. I can’t wait to be a part of it,” concluded Alyssa Healy.
Coming to the tournament, Australia women will be playing their first match against Sri Lanka women on October 05 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
