Australia opener Georgia Voll steps up in key role ahead of T20 World Cup Australia’s opening batter Georgia Voll showcased her growing importance to the team as she helped secure a 17-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I of a three-match series. The 22-year-old’s 39 off 23 balls provided a solid foundation for Australia’s total of 164/5, which they successfully defended in Kingstown. The win ensured Australia retained the series and set the stage for their upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. Voll’s performance came as she stepped into the spotlight following the retirement of Alyssa Healy, who had long occupied the top of the order. With Healy absent, Voll is now the primary opener for Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June. The young batter emphasized the importance of adapting to new conditions and gaining experience ahead of the tournament. “Being still quite new into the side and learning about different places around the world is super important for me,” she said after the match. The 2026 season has already seen Voll make a strong case for her place in the team. She scored an impressive 88 against India in a T20 series earlier in the year, followed by a century in ODIs against the same opponent. Now, she is testing her skills in overseas conditions, a challenge she views as crucial for her development. “It’s really exciting to be over here and opening up the batting for Australia,” she added. Voll’s focus remains on consistency and building experience against diverse opposition. She highlighted the value of partnering with Beth Mooney at the top of the order, a role she hopes to maintain throughout her career. “To go out there consistently and open the batting with Beth Mooney is pretty special,” she said.#west_indies #alyssa_healy #beth_mooney #icc_womens_t20_world_cup #georgia_voll
NSW v Queensland: WNCL Final Preview New South Wales and Queensland will face off in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) final for the Ruth Preddy Cup at Cricket Central in Sydney on Saturday, March 21. The match, scheduled for a coin toss at 9:15am AEDT and the first ball at 10am AEDT, will be broadcast live on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app, Fox Cricket, and Kayo Sports. Admission to the venue is free, with live scores and post-match highlights available on the same platforms. The NSW Breakers, led by captain Lauren Cheatle, will aim to secure their 22nd WNCL title after a dominant season that saw them finish unbeaten in their first 10 matches. However, a narrow loss to South Australia in their final regular-season game highlighted their vulnerability. Key players include Alyssa Healy, who will play her final match for the Breakers in pursuit of her 11th title, and Tahlia Wilson, the new Australian ODI squad member set to join her international teammates in the Caribbean after the final. Player of the tournament Katie Mack, who has scored over 600 runs in the competition, will seek her first title after 106 matches. Queensland Fire, captained by Georgia Redmayne, will look to end a two-year wait for a final victory. Redmayne, now the full-time captain, will lead her team for the third time in a final after previously stepping in for injured players in the past two deciders. The Fire have added depth with the return of Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen, both of whom missed last year’s final due to WPL commitments. Young talents like Sianna Ginger, Ruby Strange, and Mikayla Wrigley have also contributed to the Fire’s improved form. The rivalry between NSW and Queensland has been intense this season, with both teams missing several regular players due to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) schedule.#alyssa_healy #new_south_wales #queensland #cricket_central #ruth_preddy_cup
ICC Women's ODI Rankings: Smriti Mandhana Claims No. 1 Batter Spot India opener Smriti Mandhana has ascended to the top of the ICC Women’s One Day International (ODI) batting rankings following her standout performances in the recent three-match series against Australia. Mandhana now holds 790 rating points, surpassing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who is ranked second with 782 points. Wolvaardt retains a chance to reclaim the top position when South Africa faces New Zealand in March and April. Australia’s Alyssa Healy, who scored a century in her last ODI, is placed fourth with 744 points, positioned between Beth Mooney (749 points) and Ashleigh Gardner (724 points). India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is ranked ninth in the batting list, while Jemimah Rodrigues is in 12th place. In the ODI bowling rankings, Australia’s Alana King has claimed the no. 1 spot with 775 rating points, ending England’s Sophie Ecclestone’s nearly four-year reign at the top. King’s rise to the top came after her stellar performance in the series against India, where she took seven wickets, including four for 33 in the third ODI, helping her team secure an 185-run victory. This marks her first time as the top-ranked bowler and her highest rating to date. Other Australian bowlers in the top eight include Gardner (third), Annabel Sutherland (fifth), Megan Schutt (seventh), and Kim Garth (eighth). Deepti Sharma is the only Indian bowler in the top 10, placed at 10th. In the ODI all-rounder rankings, Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner leads with 516 points, significantly ahead of West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, who is second with 418 points. Deepti Sharma also features in the top 10 all-rounders list, ranked fifth.#smriti_mandhana #alyssa_healy #icc_womens_odi_rankings #laura_wolvaardt #harmanpreet_kaur
"I want to stay at the top": No.1 ranked King keen to keep throne Alana King, the newly crowned No.1 ODI bowler, has expressed her determination to maintain her position at the top of the ICC rankings. The Australia leg-spinner emphasized her commitment to improving her game and contributing to her team’s success. After a strong performance in the one-day leg of the multi-format series against India, where she took seven wickets at an average of 16.71, including a crucial 4-33 in the third match, King secured her first No.1 ranking in the ODI bowling rankings, ending Sophie Ecclestone’s 1,450-day reign. While her focus in Perth was on the pink ball and a potential return to Test cricket, King acknowledged her white-ball success as a reward for her hard work. “It definitely came as a surprise when I saw it on socials earlier today, but it’s a nice little reward,” she said in an interview with cricket.com.au. “But I don’t think you can be satisfied with just getting there. You want to hopefully stay at the top – and I’m just going to keep focusing on doing my role for this team.” King highlighted the importance of her teammates in her journey, stating, “I absolutely love this team, and I think they helped me get to places and create those chances and take those wickets.” She also emphasized the need for continuous improvement, noting, “I speak to a lot of people about my bowling, and just want to keep getting better every chance I can.” The 30-year-old’s ambitions extend beyond rankings. She aims to transform the WACA Ground into a spinners’ paradise during the upcoming Test match against India. Despite the challenges of a predicted Perth scorcher, King remains confident in her ability to exploit the conditions. “I think the best thing for me is I get to bowl for a lot longer,” she said.#india #alana_king #alyssa_healy #waca_ground #icc_rankings
Lucy Hamilton’s meteoric rise from reserve fast bowler to Test debutant marks a pivotal moment in Australian women’s cricket Lucy Hamilton’s journey from a 19-year-old reserve fast bowler to a potential Test cricketer has been nothing short of extraordinary. The tall left-arm seamer’s breakthrough came in a dramatic turn of events when an injury to Australian seamer Kim Garth opened the door for her to earn a coveted baggy green for this week’s pink-ball Test against India at the WACA. The opportunity follows a 12-month ascent that has seen her transition from a promising domestic talent to a national icon in the making. Hamilton’s national debut coincided with a symbolic passing of the torch, as she received her maiden ODI cap from retiring legend Alyssa Healy during the final match of Healy’s ODI career. The moment underscored the shifting dynamics of Australia’s women’s team, which is navigating a transition period following the retirements of Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, and Megan Schutt. Hamilton’s inclusion in the Test squad for the day-night Test against India, set to begin on Friday, highlights her emergence as a key figure in the team’s future. The 19-year-old’s rise has been fueled by a combination of raw talent, relentless work ethic, and a series of high-profile achievements. In 2024, she claimed the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Young Gun award, joining an elite group of past recipients including Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Molineux. Despite a challenging season with the Brisbane Heat, where the team finished last, Hamilton’s performances in the Women’s Premier League auction caught the attention of Delhi Capitals, who signed her for $17,000 (50 lakh) in a landmark deal. Her debut in the Indian tournament saw her strike a 19-ball 36, including three sixes, against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.#alyssa_healy #lucy_hamilton #kimi_garth #waca #wbbl
Alyssa Healy’s retirement marks the end of an era for Australian women’s cricket, as the player leaves behind a legacy that bridges generations. The Healy name holds a unique significance in Australian cricket history, with her uncle Ian regarded as one of the sport’s greatest wicket-keepers. Alyssa has carried forward this legacy, proving herself as a formidable force in both formats of the game. Her career, defined by consistency and excellence, has cemented her place among the sport’s most decorated athletes. Healy’s achievements span multiple formats, including six T20 World Cup titles and two 50-over World Cup victories. She also claimed gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, further underscoring her status as a global powerhouse. Her contributions to Australia’s sustained dominance in women’s cricket have been pivotal, particularly during a period when the team maintained its position as the world’s top side. However, the landscape has shifted in recent years, with teams like India emerging as serious contenders. While Australia remains the benchmark, the absence of long-time captain Meg Lanning has altered the dynamics of competition, making victories less assured than in the past. Healy’s final international appearance was a memorable one, as she scored 158 runs in an ODI against India to secure a 0-3 series sweep in Hobart. Her performances in major tournaments have been equally standout, including her role as the top run-scorer in the 2018 T20 World Cup and her impactful contributions in the 2020 and 2022 World Cups. These moments highlight her ability to deliver under pressure, a trait that has defined her career. As she steps away from the international stage, the Australian team faces the challenge of finding a successor to her unique blend of skill and leadership.#t20_world_cup #australia #alyssa_healy #ian_healy #commonwealth_games
Alyssa Healy’s Retirement Marks End of a Golden Era in Women’s Cricket Alyssa Healy’s decision to retire from international cricket after the one-off Test in Perth signals the conclusion of a remarkable chapter in Australian and global women’s cricket. The Healy name holds a revered place in the history of Australian cricket, with her uncle Ian, a legendary wicket-keeper, setting a high standard. Alyssa has not only upheld this legacy but also redefined it through her exceptional talent and contributions to the sport. Healy’s career is defined by an impressive array of accolades, including six T20 World Cup titles and two 50-over World Cup victories. She also secured a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022, cementing her status as one of the most decorated players in women’s cricket. Her role in Australia’s sustained dominance during the long era of success has made her a key figure in the nation’s golden generation. However, the landscape of international cricket has evolved, with the departure of captain Meg Lanning leaving a void that has shifted the dynamics of competition. While Australia remains the preeminent team, the gap between them and rivals like India has narrowed, making victories less assured. Healy’s final international appearance was a standout moment, as she scored 158 runs in an ODI against India to secure a 0-3 series win in Hobart. Her performances in major tournaments have been equally impressive, with her topping the run-scorers list in the 2018 T20 World Cup and delivering crucial innings in the 2020 and 2022 World Cups. These achievements highlight her ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stages. Despite the depth of talent in Australian women’s cricket, Healy’s retirement leaves a unique void.#t20_world_cup #australia #alyssa_healy #ian_healy #commonwealth_games_2022
