<p>Alyssa Healy stood before cameras at Cricket Central yesterday with news that sent ripples through the sporting world: Australia's most decorated women's cricketer will hang up her gloves after the upcoming series against India.</p> <p>At 35, the wicketkeeper-batter who captained her country to an historic 16-0 Ashes whitewash has decided the fire that drove her for 15 years has finally dimmed.</p> <p>"It's with mixed emotions that the upcoming India series will be my last for Australia," Healy said, her voice steady but reflective. "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."</p> <p>The announcement creates an immediate headache for selectors ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Australia will need a new leader, and fast.</p> <h2>Alyssa Healy Career Stats: Eight World Cup Titles and Record-Breaking Wicketkeeper Numbers</h2> <p>The numbers tell a story that borders on the absurd. Eight World Cup titles. More than 7,000 runs across all formats. A record 126 dismissals in T20 internationals, more than any keeper in history, male or female.</p> <p>When historians write about the golden era of Australian women's cricket, Healy's name will be etched in every chapter.</p> <p>But statistics alone can't capture what made Healy special. She saved her very best performances for the biggest stages, delivering match-winning knocks when the pressure peaked.</p> <p>Her 170 off 138 balls in the 2022 ODI World Cup final against England remains one of the most dominant displays in women's cricket history. The innings helped Australia claim their seventh <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/icc-mens-cricket-world-cup">Cricket World Cup</a> title, cementing Healy's reputation as cricket's ultimate big-game player.</p> <p>The turning point came when she pushed to open the batting. Having already won four World Cups primarily as a wicketkeeper, Healy's move to the top of the order transformed everything.</p> <p>Between the 2017 ODI World Cup and the 2023 T20 World Cup, she averaged something like 52 runs in ODIs while striking at over 102, with five centuries that left opposition bowlers scrambling for answers.</p> <h2>Australia Captain Succession: Who Will Replace Alyssa Healy After Retirement?</h2> <p>Taking over from the legendary Meg Lanning in 2023 was never going to be easy. But Healy embraced the role with characteristic determination, leading Australia through 58 matches and delivering that remarkable 16-0 <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/the-ashes">Ashes</a> clean sweep.</p> <p>The whitewash across all formats represented Australian dominance at its most complete.</p> <p>Now selectors face their own challenge. Current vice-captain Tahlia McGrath seems the obvious choice, having led the team during Healy's absences. But Sydney Sixers skipper Ashleigh Gardner also looms as a strong contender, bringing proven leadership credentials from the domestic circuit. Younger options like Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland have been floated, though their inexperience might count against them with a World Cup looming.</p> <p>The decision takes on added urgency with the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching. Australia's new captain will need time to settle into the role before facing the pressure of defending their title on the global stage.</p> <h2>Alyssa Healy India Series 2026: Final Matches for Australian Cricket Legend</h2> <p>The multi-format series against India in February and March will mark Healy's farewell: three ODIs and a single Test match. She'll retire having already stepped away from T20 internationals, bringing down the curtain on all forms of <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket">cricket betting</a> rather than chasing franchise opportunities abroad. It's a clean break, typical of someone who always knew her own mind.</p> <p>The cricketing world has reacted with the reverence reserved for genuine greats. Her fellow players, opponents, and commentators have lined up to celebrate a career that transcended statistics and trophies. Healy didn't just play cricket at the highest level; she redefined what was possible for wicketkeeper-batters in the women's game.</p> <p>Australia's campaign for another World Cup will proceed without their talismanic leader.</p> <p>The transition arrives sooner than many expected, but Healy sounds at peace. After 15 years of sacrifice, training, and pressure, she's earned the right to walk away on her own terms.</p> <p>The crown she wore with such distinction now passes to a new generation, one that will chase the impossibly high standards Healy helped establish.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/odi-cricket-explained-rules-format-and-how-one-day-internationals-work">Everything you need to know about ODI cricket before the India series</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/what-is-a-test-match-in-cricket-rules-and-format-explained">Five days, endless drama — Test cricket explained</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/most-test-catches-all-time">The safe hands who've taken more catches than anyone in Test history</a></li> </ul>