‘Don’t come here to defend title, come to win it’: Australia captain Alyssa Healy on Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 | Cricket News

Australia won the last three editions of the showpiece event in 2018 (West Indies), 2020 (Australia), and 2023 (South Africa). The last one came following a 19-run win over burgeoning hosts South Africa in the final in Cape Town in February last year.

Alyssa Healy of Australia pictured during the Captains’ Photocall prior to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on October 02, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Australia women’s cricket team captain Alyssa Healy on Wednesday reacted to defending the T20 World Cup in an uncharted territory of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 10 teams will vie to claim the title in the shortest format, but Australia, who have won six of the eight editions in the T20 World Cup, will be the side to overcome.

Australia won the last three editions of the showpiece event in 2018 (West Indies), 2020 (Australia), and 2023 (South Africa). The last one came following a 19-run win over burgeoning hosts South Africa in the final in Cape Town in February last year.

Speaking at the Captains’ Day on the eve of the tournament opener, Alyssa Healy was asked about Australia defending their title. She responded, saying:

“You don’t come here to defend the title, that’s not what the World Cup is about, you come here to win it. So we are here with that approach.”

Australia are part of Group A along with India, Sri Lanka (Asia Cup 2024 champions), New Zealand, and Pakistan. Healy, who has played 39 matches in Women’s T20 World Cup across seven editions, called the Group A as tricky and challenging.

“Our pool is quite a tricky one. We’ve got to get past these teams to have a chance of lifting the trophy. So it’s a challenge I’m very excited for,” she said.

‘I’m not Meg, I’m Alyssa Healy’: Australian captaincy change

Australian batting great Meg Lanning announced retirement from international cricket in December last year, leaving an indelible impression on Australian cricket and youngsters to follow. Australia won four T20 titles (2014, 2018, 2020,2023) under Lanning’s captaincy besides the 2022 World Cup (ODI format) in New Zealand.

Alyssa Healy has an arduous task of carrying forward Meg Lanning’s legacy, but the 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will have her own way to chalk out things as Australia eye for a record-seventh T20 World title.

“Everyone in this room knows the legacy of Meg Lanning, so there’s pretty big shoes to fill. But I’m not Meg, I’m Alyssa Healy and I’ve brought that approach into this Australian team,” Healy said.

“I’m going to do the job the way that I know how to do it and to the best of my ability and hopefully that does the job for Australia. At the moment, I’m just really enjoying the challenge of that,” she added.

Australia will play their first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Sri Lanka on October 5 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

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