In an emotional moment at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, the Indian women’s cricket team formed a guard of honour for Australian captain Alyssa Healy as she walked out to bat in her final One Day International (ODI) on Sunday, March 1. The classy gesture marked the end of a glittering 16-year career for one of the game’s all-time greats, as Healy opened the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield in front of an appreciative crowd.

Guard of honour marks emotional farewell for Alyssa Healy

The Indian players lined up on either side of the pitch, applauding Healy as she made her way to the crease for the last time in ODI cricket. The moment carried particular significance given the intense rivalry between the two nations throughout the multi-format series. Healy’s counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur led the tributes, acknowledging the immense contribution the Australian skipper has made to women’s cricket over nearly two decades.

Here’s the video:

For the final time in ODI cricket, Alyssa Healy strides to the middle with the bat, accompanied by a guard of honour from India 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GQcKDplzh6

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 1, 2026

Australia ahead by 2-0 in the three-match ODI leg

The third ODI served as a fitting stage for Healy’s farewell, with Australia having already secured the 50-overs series following victories in Brisbane and Hobart earlier in the week. Georgia Voll’s second international century powered Australia to a five-wicket win in the second ODI, completing the series victory with a game to spare.

In the series opener at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, Healy demonstrated she still possessed the class that defined her career, scoring a composed 50 off 70 balls in a six-wicket victory. Her long-time opening partner Beth Mooney, who top-scored with 76, paid tribute to Healy’s influence, saying “she makes my life easy” at the crease.

Alyssa Healy’s ODI career: Unmatched achievements

Healy’s retirement from ODIs marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. Since her debut in February 2010, the 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has amassed over 3,500 ODI runs including seven centuries, establishing herself as the most prolific wicketkeeper in women’s international cricket with  over 250 dismissals across all formats.

Her trophy cabinet includes seven World Cup victories – one ODI and six T20 titles – alongside a Commonwealth Games gold medal . Healy’s performances on the biggest stages elevated her to legendary status, most notably her record-breaking 170 in the 2022 ODI World Cup final against England, the highest individual score in a Women’s World Cup final.

Beyond her batting and wicketkeeping, Healy assumed the captaincy following Meg Lanning’s retirement in late 2023, leading her country with distinction through the twilight of her career.

Also WATCH: Georgia Voll receives standing ovation at Bellerive Oval; Australia seals the ODI series against India

“The time feels right”: Healy’s decision to hang her boots

Healy announced her retirement from all forms of cricket in January, revealing on the Willow Talk podcast she co-hosts that the decision came after months of reflection . “It’s with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia,” Healy said in a statement. “I’m still passionate about playing for Australia, but I’ve somewhat lost that competitive edge that’s kept me driven since the start, so the time feels right to call it a day.” 

The wicketkeeper-batter acknowledged the physical and mental toll of international cricket, particularly in recent years. “The last few years have been probably more mentally draining than anything else. A few injuries, to dive into the 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, one chapter remains in her remarkable career. She will lead Australia in the one-off Test against India at Perth’s WACA Ground from March 6, her final appearance in the green and gold. Cricket Australia has honoured her contribution by renaming the famous WACA hill as ‘Healy Hill’ for the match, ensuring fans can celebrate one of the country’s greatest cricketers in suitable fashion.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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