Healy credits depth for Australia's dominance

Alyssa Healy, Australia wicket-keeper batter, joined an elite list of players when she took the field in the second T20I against Sri Lanka on Monday (September 30) to become the second Australian, and eighth overall to play 100 T20Is.



Having made her international debut in 2010, Healy's career has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Serving as Jodie Fields' understudy for much of her early career, meant she took a while to get used to the grind of international cricket. Following the former captain's retirement, Healy found herself shunted up and down the batting order, struggling to find a permanent place.



However, in 2017, all that changed when she was pushed up the order to open the innings in all formats of the game. Since the elevation, the right-hander has clobbered 850 runs in 27 T20Is at an average of 35.41 and strike rate 141.90. She is now one of the most feared and consistent batters in the world.



"To play 100 games and be the second person to that is something I will remember for a long period of time," said Healy, following Australia's demolition of Sri Lanka on Monday. "Hopefully I have got a few more left in me and (can) hopefully get the team across the line a few more times."



Chasing a modest target of 85, as is her habit, Healy got Australia off to a flyer scoring 21 off just 15 balls before she was brilliantly caught by Nilakshi de Silva. However, her 'failure' did little to hamper the hosts' progress as Erin Burns came out in her maiden T20I innings and clobbered an unbeaten 30. Australia got over the line with 62 balls to spare.



"It was great to see Burnsy let loose tonight with the bat at the end of the night," Healy said. "She's been such a great talent in our domestic system for a long period of time. Now that she's having a crack at being a full-time cricketer at 31, she's really flourishing."



In her maiden T20I innings Erin Burns struck an invaluable 18-ball 30. © Getty Images



Burns was one of two (forced) changes Australia had to make in the second T20I - the second being Nicola Carey who replaced Delissa Kimmince. Much like Burns, Carey too took her chance with both hands. After running drinks through the tour of the West Indies, the Ashes and the T20 World Cup before that, the seam-bowling allrounder, finished the game with incredible figures of 1 for 9 in four overs - equalling the most economical figures by an Australian in a four-over spell.



"She's been really good in that T20 format for a long period, especially in the WBBL," Healy said. "For her to get a crack tonight in the Aussie colours – she did herself no harm in putting her hand up for next game if DK (Kimmince) is not fit."



The pair's success further emphasises the depth in Australian cricket - with every player coming in 'ready' to succeed at the international level.



"I think every single person in this squad can contribute at any point in time,"  Healy said. "There's probably another eight or nine players that are outside this group putting their hand up and wanting selection for that T20 World Cup, so it's great to see that we've got the depth and the talent there that they can come out and perform when need be."



With Australia having sealed the T20I series with one game to spare, it is likely they will want to make sure that their entire squad gets a chance to take the field leading in to the T20 World Cup at home next year. Healy pointed to Heather Graham - still sitting on the bench, waiting for her opportunity -as someone who could potentially make a splash.



"We've got Heather Graham sitting on the bench who hasn't had a crack in this series or the series just gone so I'm sure she'll be chomping at the bit as well," she said. "I've got no doubt if she gets an opportunity she's going to come out and do the same job."



Dominance has been a key word in the Australian set up. It has been something both Meg Lanning and Matthew Mott, their coach, have spoken of extensively. Going in to the final T20I on Wednesday (October 2), there is no doubt the hosts will want to finish the series with another crushing win - they are after all the better team in the series... By more than a country mile.