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ABC News
Sport
National sport reporter David Mark

'It would be an unbelievable honour': Alyssa Healy puts her hand up for Australian captaincy

The Australian women's cricket team's wicketkeeper and opening batter Alyssa Healy has said she'd be honoured to captain the side.

The team is without a skipper, with veteran Meg Lanning taking indefinite leave after the side won the Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Vice-captain, Rachael Haynes has retired, potentially opening up a spot for Healy as her replacement or as captain if Lanning continues her leave into next year.

"I've been vice-captain in the Australian side before and that's been a great opportunity, but yeah, if the call did come my way there's no possibility I'd turn it down," Healy said.

"I think it would be an unbelievable honour and it something that I would really take the challenge of and hopefully leave a mark on the game where I can."

The women's team aren't due to play until next January when they take on Pakistan at home for a series of one-day and T20 Internationals before heading to South Africa to defend the T20 World Cup.

Healy said she had considered taking on one of the official leadership roles.

"I've given a little bit of thought — I mean it would be rude not to as one of the senior plays in the side — about who they might lean on to to take over the reins," Healy said.

"But, from my point of view I'm looking forward to the WBBL first, and if that phone call comes then you beauty.

"There's so many leaders within our Australian team and Australian squad at the moment and obviously Meg's on a bit of a break at the moment, so hopefully she'll come back and be as fresh as a daisy and want to play a part in the side.

"But I guess from our point of view, I'm sure someone is going to step up take the reins and do a fantastic job."

Healy currently captains the NSW Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League.

The 32-year-old said she hadn't spoken to Lanning recently as she's travelling overseas.

"Last time I spoke to her she seemed to be going really well and hopefully we see her back in the environment sooner," Healy said.

Healy said the side maintained a strong desire to win and defend the T20 World Cup it won in Melbourne in 2020 and didn't feel any pressure as the team everyone wants to beat.

"We go out there to win every game of cricket we possibly can, so it might put a little bit of pressure on us leading into that, but in saying that it doesn't really change the vibe around the group," Healy said. 

"I mean, you never want to be the team that sort of doesn't win or lets it down, so I think that drives everyone every single day to just be better

"I think the way we are as a group, I think the way we function on and off the field is one of the big reasons why we are successful, so if we maintain that culture and the values within our side I think it goes a long way to as having success on field." 

Healy was speaking at an event in Sydney to promote the Men's T20 World Cup which begins later this month and said she was looking forward to watching the games.

"Just seeing the big players out here in our country," Healy said. 

"We're such a multicultural nation and I think sporting events like this really showcase that.

"Seeing the best players in the world here in Australia I think it's a great opportunity for everyone to get out there and witness it."

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