'Not here to defend the title, here to win it' - Alyssa Healy excited on showcasing unique brand of cricket
The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is primed to be Healy's first as a full-time skipper.
Much like the men's team, the women's contingent are no different when it comes to hunting down trophies like relentless predators with their eyes on their prey. In fact, the dominance of Australia Women extends to such an extent that they have won the previous three editions of the Women's T20 World Cup.
Captain of the side, Alyssa Healy, had her focus locked in on the primary objective. Without making light of the participants in front of her team, she felt her team had the most superior knack for flexibility. Furthermore, she discussed the importance of adapting to the playing conditions in a mega event, which would prove to be the main difference between the teams contesting for the World Cup glory.
"You don't come here to defend the title, that's not what the World Cup is about, you come here to win it. We are here with that approach. Our pool [Group A with India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka] is quite a tricky one. We've got to get past these teams to have a chance of lifting the trophy. It's a challenge I'm very excited for," Healy was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
"The whole tournament, in general, is about adapting the quickest. If you look at the warm-up games, [it showed] you've got to adapt pretty quickly to what you're given. Probably, the team that does the best throughout the tournament will get the job done. We feel like we're well placed to do that and hopefully, we can do it," she continued.
Furthermore, Healy also spoke about having to steer the team, this time without the former Australian legend and skipper, Meg Lanning, in the squad. She also spoke on the new endeavour being a rewarding learning curve so far. Notably, the Queensland-born pointed out that she was enjoying captaining her national side after having stepped up to lead after Lanning's retirement.
"I wouldn't say I still have full control. I think I approached it like I do every day in life. You take each day as it comes. Obviously, when she [Lanning] decided to step away from the game officially, there was a process in place. I put up my hand for it and got the job, and it's been really enjoyable so far. I'm very grateful at this point in my career to have an opportunity to learn more about myself and probably more about my teammates, and as a squad as a whole as well, It's been good," mentioned Healy.
Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off in style with captains' day
We see it as a challenge and an opportunity to showcase our brand of cricket: Healy
Carrying her views ahead, the wicketkeeper-batter also spoke on the side's performing well under immense pressure in the past. Hence, Australian women are undeterred by the pressure ahead to come in the T20 World Cup. Having emerged victorious in both of their warm-up fixtures, Healy & Co. would be more than self-assured going into the tournament in search of their fourth title in succession.
Download Our App