"100% I’d put my hand up if called upon" - Alyssa Healy on captaincy ambitions

Alyssa Healy was the designated skipper when Meg Lanning was away from the Australian squad due to mental health issues. She did it well, winning the series in India, but when Lanning returned, the latter automatically assumed captaincy. 

But the Australian Women’s team have now found a crucial juncture with Lanning deciding to call it a day from international cricket. Whether Alyssa Healy will be the next captain or someone else is left to be decided, but the vice-captain is very much interested in the role.

"I've been filling in in the anticipation that Meg will come back, but at the end of the day the decision of who the next skipper will be is up to the powers that be, whether they look long term or short term, I'm not 100% certain on that," Alyssa Healy was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

"I've had a nice little taste of it and, yes, 100% I would put my hand up to do it again if called upon. But that's for somebody else to decide and if it is somebody else then I'll happily support them as best as I can for the rest of my career.

"I feel like I've learned a lot about myself but also a lot about our group and potentially what we need to do to continue to evolve. I've had to learn along the way how we are going to do that and how I can best try and help the players do that. It's been fun learnings, and grateful at 33 that I've had the opportunity to learn more about myself as a player."

Also Read: ‘Megastar’ Lanning leaves behind a legacy that could go unmatched

It would be difficult to match the legacy that Lanning has left behind. With five T20 World Cups, two ODI World Cups, three Ashes win, and a Commonwealth Gold medal, Lanning, as a skipper, achieved everything there could be. Lanning made 132 T20I appearances for Australia, including 103 ODI appearances and six Test appearances. During that time, she has scored over 8,000 runs across formats. 

"She just grew into the role a little bit more, became more assured herself as a leader. We all knew her capabilities as a player but what she did as a captain as well just enhanced those skills as a player…and made her more determined to go out there and win the game for your country, which as a team-mate there's nothing much better than that,” Healy spoke about her former skipper.

"The success rate she had as skipper and the amount of wins and trophies we won under her, think it's pretty unmatched in the women's and men's game. Her legacy as a leader in Australian cricket will be remembered for a lot longer than her amazing skills on the field,” she added.