Alyssa Healy
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Wolf Blass Breakers batter Alyssa Healy had never been to India before and did not know what to expect from a country where cricket is almost a religion.
“I imagined tough opposition on turning wickets, which was always going to be difficult as I am not the best player of spin,” she said.
“I did not realise that it was going to be that humid, which made it seem hotter than it really was. However India was an awesome place to visit…..and shop!”
Healy was amongst a group of fortunate U/19 men and women who took part in Cricket NSW’s High Performance Tour to India in mid-April. The teams played four One-Day matches and one Twenty20 match against Karnataka in Bangalore and Mysore.
The NSW women were outstanding, achieving a clean sweep of their series as well as scoring an unexpected victory over India’s senior women’s team.
Healy was one of the stars of the tour. She was unlucky to miss out on ton in the opening match after hitting 96 not out and finishing the game with a six. Not required in game two, she reached triple figures in the next match with a performance worthy of the IPL.
NSW were very well placed following 107 from opener Sarah Coyte. Healy batted in the middle order with her explosive innings propelling NSW to an unbeatable 7/365. It took just 19 balls to reach her half-century. The second 50 came from 25 balls with her onslaught finally ending at 106 from 49 balls.
“We were 180 after 30 overs and we wanted to double our score. However when I went in we were behind the run rate,” she recalled.
“I was really focused on getting the team to 300 and it all just fell into place. I was able to play my shots and I was lucky enough for them to pay off!”
The Karnataka side was made up of both U/19 and senior players, and while a good hit out for the NSW side, the real test came when the coach of the Indian women’s team challenged the tourists.
India were preparing for the Women’s Asia Cup and fielded a full strength side for the trial. Batting first, NSW were in early trouble before scrambling to a competitive score of 146. With the wicket getting lower and slower, they then bowled the 2005 World Cup runners-up for just 86.
“We weren’t expecting to play India let alone snag a win! It was a tough battle and we were four for not many until Angela (Reakes) and Rhiannon (Dick) got us out of trouble and gave us something to bowl at,” said Healy.
“It is an awesome feeling to beat an international side and I was fortunate to have experienced it before India too.”
In addition to broadening her cricketing horizons, the tour also gave Healy a new perspective on life.
“The culture is so different over here and it was amazing to be able to experience it. I love Indian food now!
“I don’t think I will ever complain about my life again as with so many people living in poverty, some of the things I saw were quite hard to swallow.”
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