Alyssa Healy made Australian vice-captain across all three formats

There’s no end date to Australian captain Meg Lanning’s break from cricket, but there’s been a move towards anointing her successor.

Alyssa Healy is “positive” Australian captain Meg Lanning will return to cricket but is ready to fill her captaincy shoes after being elevated to the national vice-captaincy.

With no end date in sight for Lanning’s self-imposed break from the game, which has taken in the WBBL and could include an upcoming series against India, Healy now looms as the next skipper.

Healy, 32 has been elevated to the role following Rachael Haynes’ retirement from international cricket last month and is ready to take on the main job if required.

She also said Lanning, who is in Europe, was “chuffed” when Healy rang to tell her the news, getting an insight into what the skipper’s plans are.

“I am positive (Lanning) will be back around Australian cricket and in what role I am not 100 per cent certain,” Healy said on Thursday.

“That is a decision for Meg and one that me in particular I am really supportive of her making.

“Whatever role I play in the summer I am happy with.

“If she comes back and says this is my team and I want to play and captain, it‘s a great thing for Australian cricket.

“But if it’s the flip side of that and there is a conversation about me having to take over, then that is really exciting for me.”

Alyssa Healy has played more than 200 games for Australia. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Healy has played 232 matches for her country – second only to all-rounder Ellyse Perry – and previously has been vice-captain in a temporary capacity, most recently in 2021.

She has captained the NSW Breakers in the Women’s National Cricket League since 2018 and was Sydney Sixers vice-captain in the first seven editions of the Women’s Big Bash League.

Should Lanning’s absence continue, Healy could find herself leading Australia in a five-game T20I tour of India in December, home ODIs and T20Is against Pakistan in January, and the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.

“To have an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of this group, it‘s really exciting for me,” Healy said.

“If and when called upon (to captain) I would be absolutely chuffed to do that and call on some experience I have had with the NSW Breakers in the past couple of years.”

Healy said the appointment could even extend her career after she admitted recently to considering her future in recent months.

“It probably re-energises and refocuses too,” Healy said.

“There have been little moments and cool opportunities along the way that have reinvigorated me and the way I want to play the game.

“This is another one of those moments that makes you sit back and think, ‘Actually, this is a really cool time to want to be involved’.”

National selector Shawn Flegler said Healy was an “outstanding leader”.

“We’re delighted that Alyssa has agreed to take on the role of vice-captain and look forward to the contribution she can make in tandem with Meg,” he said.

“Alyssa is an outstanding leader on and off the field and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

“We have great confidence in Alyssa, Meg and Shelley leading the team during an exciting 12-month period that will see the team defend its T20 World Cup title and look to retain the Ashes on English soil.”

Originally published as Alyssa Healy made Australian vice-captain across all three formats