Australian captain Alyssa Healy signed off from international cricket in the most fitting way possible as the hosts secured a commanding 10-wicket victory over India in the one-off day-night Test at the WACA Ground in Perth on Sunday. The emphatic win, completed inside three days, not only marked a perfect farewell for the veteran wicketkeeper-batter but also sealed a dominant win for Australia in the multi-format series against the reigning world champions.
Australia wrap up the multi-format series against India with dominant Test victory
India resumed the third day at 105 for 6 in their second innings, still needing 20 more runs to avoid making Australia bat again. Debutant Pratika Rawal showed admirable resilience, playing a determined knock of 63 off 137 balls, but the visitors struggled to build partnerships around her. Australia’s bowlers tightened the screws early in the day, ensuring that India’s resistance did not last long.
Sneh Rana, who had been supporting Rawal, was eventually bowled by Ashleigh Gardner for 30. Soon after, Healy made an impact behind the stumps, taking a sharp catch at slip to dismiss Kashvee Gautam for a duck off Alana King’s bowling. King struck again shortly after, removing Sayali Satghare, and Rawal’s courageous innings finally came to an end when Annabel Sutherland produced a brilliant diving catch at fine leg.
India’s innings folded soon after, leaving Australia with a modest target of 25 runs to win the match. Openers Georgia Voll (16 not out) and Phoebe Litchfield (11 not out) wasted little time in finishing the job, chasing down the target in just 4.3 overs and sparking emotional celebrations among the home side.
Annabel Sutherland shines with remarkable all-round performance
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Annabel Sutherland, who delivered a sensational all-round display. The 24-year-old was named Player of the Match after scoring a magnificent 129 in Australia’s first innings and following it up with impressive bowling figures of 6 for 61 from 23 overs. Her century was yet another milestone in what is already shaping up to be a remarkable Test career. Sutherland now has four Test hundreds, leaving her just one shy of the overall record in women’s Test cricket.
Another experienced star also etched her name into the record books. Ellyse Perry contributed a valuable 76 in the first innings, and in doing so took her tally of Test runs to 1006, surpassing Karen Rolton’s previous Australian record of 1002 runs in the format.
Alyysa Healy’s team-first farewell
Despite the match being all but decided, Alyssa Healy chose to keep the spotlight away from herself in her final appearance. With Australia requiring just 25 runs to win, there were suggestions – including from coach Shelley Nitschke – that Healy could promote herself up the batting order for a memorable last innings. However, the skipper stayed true to her team-first philosophy and declined the opportunity.
“There was a little bit of sadness sitting in the change room and realising I don’t get to come back,” Healy revealed after the match. “I’m not coming back next week and sitting with that group of people. That made me sad more than anything cricket-related.”
She added: “It’s not what I’m about and it’s not what the team’s about either. We pride ourselves on being team-first and I didn’t want anything to be disrupted.”
Emotional farewell for Healy at the WACA
Once the victory was secured, the emotional weight of the moment became clear. Healy was carried off the field by long-time teammates Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, a touching gesture that symbolised the end of her 16-year international career.
“It honestly hit me just before… I don’t get to go back in that changeroom and be around the girls again,” an emotional Healy said. “But I’m going to enjoy the next little bit and sing the team song one more time.”
The scenes at the WACA reflected the respect and admiration she commands within the team and across the cricketing world.
India’s young players show promise in the one-off Test
While the result was disappointing for India, the match did provide encouraging signs for the future. The defeat ended India’s nine-Test unbeaten run in women’s cricket dating back to 2006. However, several young players made notable contributions during the game.
Debutants Pratika Rawal, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud and Kashvee Gautam all gained valuable experience at the international level. Rawal’s fighting 63 in the second innings stood out as a particularly promising effort, demonstrating maturity and composure on a challenging WACA pitch.
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Australia’s comeback in the series
The Test victory also capped a remarkable turnaround for Australia in the multi-format series. The hosts had begun the contest on a disappointing note, losing the T20I leg 2-1, which raised questions about the start of Sophie Molineux’s captaincy era.
However, the return of Alyssa Healy for the ODI leg transformed the team’s fortunes. Australia dominated the ODI series 3-0, and their commanding Test victory ensured they finished the overall contest 12-4 on points. It was also Australia’s first Test win over India since 2006, adding another layer of significance to the result.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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