HEALY HAS EYE ON CUP
ALYSSA Healy has only average eyesight — the specs behind the stumps in Antigua proved that — but her Twenty20 vision is supreme.
Healy can see a fourth World T20 crown after a fourth crucial knock in as many games helped Australia into the final. She has 203 runs for the tournament.
“I’d be lying if I sat here and said we haven’t got scars after the last couple of World Cups,” Healy said yesterday. “To be ranked No.1 in the world and not have a trophy is sort of something we were looking to rectify. There’s a bit of an aura around this group at the moment and there’s just something really special building and, look, we’ve got one more huge game to go.
“To play in front of a crowd like that, that’s 99 per cent going for the West Indies, we sort of thrive off that. We love being the underdogs.”
Another momentum-driving innings from Healy at the top (46 off 38 balls) and a late-innings cameo from Rachael Haynes (25 off 15) set up Australia’s strong total of 5-142 on a slow, turning wicket.
The bowlers then combined to dismantle the Windies, with Ellyse Perry taking 2-2 from two overs, sending danger pair Shemaine Campbelle (7) and Deandra Dottin (6) packing. The result was a 71-run whitewash.
Healy played after recovering from the concussion she received just six days earlier. She was wearing glasses on the field for the first time.
“I’ve had glasses for the last six months now [but I] haven’t worn them on the cricket field,” she said.
“The way my gloves have been going of late, I thought, ‘Why not, can’t get any worse’. I thought I’d take them out there. And they worked a treat. You might see me in them again.”
Healy said she was lucky she suffered only minor symptoms from the collision with fast bowler Megan Schutt, which stopped her from batting in the final pool game.
“I simply had a sore neck from the whiplash after hitting Schutt’s shoulder,” she said. “I think personally I did all the right things as well to give my mind a break and let it refresh and replenish and go today. “
There was a collective intake of breath when West Indies batter Britney Cooper skied the ball.
But Healy let everyone know it was hers this time and the ball fell safely into her gloves.
“I’m never too confident under that high ball but, look, glasses, new woman,” she said.