'Fearless' Healy thriving at the top

Alyssa Healy is treading the line between ‘fearless’ and ‘reckless’ as she looks to take her powerful batting game to another level in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

The wicketkeeper-batter scored her maiden international century on Australia’s tour of India in March and has been thriving on the new team ethos imploring the Australian players to take a fearless approach to their limited-overs cricket.

Healy has batted everywhere from opener to No.9 in her eight years in the Australian team, but for the last 12 months has settled in at the top of the order in both T20Is and ODIs.

It’s a position that suits the 28-year-old from NSW, who has scored more runs across ODI and T20 cricket than any of her Australian teammates in the last 12 months.

“Batting with two fielders out (as opener) helps, that’s probably the most fun part about opening the batting,” Healy told cricket.com.au.

“Batting with the fresh ball is a bit of a challenge but at the same time, to get the freedom to go out there and express myself and take on the inner ring, that’s something I really enjoy doing.

“But whether it’s the top order or the middle, you just want to walk out for Australia.”

With the world’s top sides continually setting the bar higher for batters in women’s T20s, Australia’s coaches have challenged their players to adopt aggressive and fearless play.

Healy forms part of a potent Australian top five alongside fellow opener Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning – the quintet who loom as crucial to Australia’s hopes of defeating New Zealand in the three-game T20I series beginning at North Sydney Oval on September 29.

“Fearless is one of our keywords in our T20 cricket and in general, but there’s a fine line between fearless and reckless so it’s about finding that line and taking the game on without being reckless,” Healy explained.

“(That approach) does suit my personality and style of cricket down to a tee, so hopefully I can go out there and play that way and get the team in a position to win matches.”

Australia head coach Matthew Mott hopes the power that Healy possesses will “put some fear factor back into the bowlers”, while he’s also keen to see her cement her spot as opener for a long time to come.

“She’s got the ability to dominate other teams, which is what you crave in T20 cricket,” Mott told cricket.com.au earlier this month.

“She had a breakthrough tour over there in India and has made some big scores so she’ll be full of confidence.

“She’s batted in a number of different positions and everyone has always said she prefers to open and that’s where she at her best.

“She’s really wanted to make that opening position her own and I think having a bit more consistency about where she’s batting has turned into consistency in her own game.

“She’s a great team player for us and she’s done some great roles in middle or late order, so now it’s great to see her making the most of her opportunity up the top. I’m sure she wants to make that her home for a long time to come.”

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra