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Alyssa Healy reveals the surprise message she received after retirement announcement
Sam Kosack • January 14th, 2026 8:52 pm
After 15 years, Alyssa Healy has reflected on a monumental cricket career that saw her achieve pretty much everything there is on offer.
Healy has captained Australia across all three formats of the game and retires as one of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers across both genders.
But it’s her impact off the field that has had the greatest impact, with Healy at the forefront of the shifting perception of women’s cricket in Australia and globally.
When you’ve had such an impact on global sport, it’s only natural you’ll receive some special messages of congratulations, with Healy revealing on SEN Mornings the most surprising ones she received.
“Waking up to a few videos sent to me from the PM yesterday was an interesting one,” Healy said.
“You walk away from the sport and don’t realise your role or your stature in it until you finish.
“To see the PM take time out of his day to mention me was quite a nice thing.
“Obviously, you run (the decision) passed the people that you trust the most and once you talk through it, how you’re feeling and how you’re thinking, it definitely seemed like the right decision for me at this point in time.
“I get to leave a happy cricketer; I never wanted to be the grumpy, bitter ex-player, so I feel like I’m in a really great place.”
In Australian colours, Healy scored over 7000 runs across the three formats and is one of six players to score over 3000 runs in the WBBL.
Now the decision was public, Healy took a moment to reflect on her career, the memories she made, and the legacy she and her generation of cricketers have left.
“It’s a nice weight off my shoulders yesterday letting everyone know,” Healy said.
“It’s been sitting at the back of my mind for a little while, knowing that it was going to happen at some point in time. Getting it off my chest and making everyone aware of it… it’s sitting really nicely.
“Looking back there has been some amazing on field memories that I will remember and cherish. For me personally, to be involved in a sport and a team that has really driven the game forward; not just cricket, but women’s sport in general in Australia and around the world.
“To be a part of a group that has led the way in that has been really special. You always want to play your sport, do really well and have some success along the way, but to feel like you’re leaving it in a better place for the next generation is something I’m really proud of.
“We tried to play the game a certain way and get more eyes on women’s cricket and women’s sport, to an extent we have managed to do that. 87,000 at the MCG in 2020 was a prime example that people just want to come and watch good Aussie teams.
“To have played a small role in that makes me really proud.
“I’ll definitely miss (cricket), I still love the game, I’ve never lost the love of the game of cricket and that’s so amazing to me.
“I’ll definitely miss playing it, and my teammates and that comradery but I feel like my life outside the game is going to be really exciting.
“To step away and to reflect on that and give myself an opportunity away from the game after 20-odd years being involved was too exciting for me and probably helped in making that decision as well.
“I don’t think I will be lost to the game, hopefully I still have something to offer it and give back to the game that’s given me so much.”
Healy is expected to make a move into cricket media after her coverage on the Ashes was widely praised.
