Alyssa Healy in contention as Australian women‘s cricket captain following Rachael Haynes’ retirement

Rachael Haynes‘ retirement and Meg Lanning’s indefinite break has opened the door for a new captain to lead the side, writes LACHLAN McKIRDY.

Rachael Haynes believes Alyssa Healy would make a great Australian captain if Meg Lanning does not return before the World Cup. Picture: Michael Klein

Rachael Haynes has endorsed Alyssa Healy as the next captain of the Australian women’s cricket team after announcing her retirement on Thursday.

The vice-captain called time on her 13-year international career, leaving the side without a clear picture of who will lead them in next year’s World Cup following Meg Lanning’s indefinite break from cricket.

While Haynes was reluctant to pick just one player who could step up to the plate, she did indicate if Healy was handed the job she would be a great replacement.

“I don’t want to throw names out there, I don’t want to put anyone under too much pressure,” Haynes told reporters.

“Behind the scenes, they have been preparing for this moment for a little while now so I think they’ve got plenty of options they can draw on.

“[It] comes down to whether they’re thinking short or long term. There are some fantastic leaders within that group.

“She’s (Healy) probably going to hate me saying this but I think it would be [an easy transition]. She’s obviously done a little bit of an apprenticeship in state cricket.”

Haynes believes Healy would be more than capable of leading the national side. Picture: Marty Melville/AFP

The T20 World Cup takes place in February in South Africa and it remains to be seen what role Lanning will play in the team, having stepped away from the game.

While most expect Lanning to return to the fold by then, the thought of going to another World Cup wasn’t enough to convince Haynes to continue with another arduous summer of cricket.

“Yeah, I did think long and hard about it,” Haynes said.

“Realistically I think I could have got there. But in my heart of hearts, I know where I’m at at the moment and I know how hard people work for the opportunity to get in that national side.

“I certainly didn’t want to stand in anyone’s way for my own selfish reasons. I think it was the right time to go.”

The retirement of Haynes leaves a big gap in Australia’s side in all three formats of the game, but particularly the T20 side.

Haynes called time on her 13-year international career on Thursday. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

She played a crucial role in Australia’s march to the T20 World Cup final in front of more than 86,000 fans at the MCG in 2020 and selectors will now be trying to identify the right calibre of player to replace her.

It could be the pathway for Ellyse Perry to return to the T20 team after not being named in any of Australia’s 11 matches this year. Perry showed she still has more to give with several standout innings for the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred last month.

Alternatively, it may provide an opportunity for selectors to look toward the next generation of players.

Georgia Redmayne has been a standout talent at domestic level for many years but is yet to represent her country. While 19-year-old Phoebe Litchfield is one player that has been earmarked for success and as a powerful left-handed batter would be a like-for-like replacement for Haynes.

Like the captaincy discussion, Haynes was hesitant to put any names forward but expects players to put on a show during the upcoming WBBL season.

Haynes expects many players, like her Thunder teammate Phoebe Litchfield, to have a big WBBL season with a spot in the Australian team now up for grabs. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“There’s going to be opportunities in the national side and with the summer about to commence, I think we’ll see some of those young players really try and put their names forward,” she said.

“I think it’s exciting with some fresh energy to come into that group as well.

“There are some players who have been very unlucky to miss national selection over the last couple of years so I think they’ll be chomping at the bit to get to the start of the season.”

While Haynes is still looking forward to one more season of playing with the Sydney Thunder, she’s already got one eye on the day when she can turn up to the cricket just as a fan.

Having watched the remarkable growth of women’s cricket over the last decade, she’s confident that it’s nowhere near finished.

Haynes with partner, Leah, and son, Hugo. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I couldn’t imagine a press conference for my retirement 10 years ago to be perfectly honest,” Haynes said.

“I think that shows just how much the landscape has changed. There’s been a lot of changes, not just in sports but in society as well.

“I think people are starting to respect female athletes a lot more.

“Credit to Cricket Australia for really getting behind the women’s game. [They] probably made some other nations across the world stand up and invest in their female teams.

“I feel very fortunate I’ve been able to play through the professionalisation of the game and I can only see it continue to grow.”

Heartbeat of Australian team announces retirement

Rachael Haynes, the heartbeat of the Australian women’s cricket team, has called time on her international career after an incredible 13 years.

She leaves the game on top following a historic Commonwealth Games triumph that completes her honour-laden trophy cabinet. The 35-year-old told teammates of her decision during an emotional team celebration on Monday night at which Mel Jones was also in attendance.

Haynes’ on-field record speaks for itself. Her gold medal in Birmingham sits alongside four T20 World Cups (2010, 2012, 2018 and 2020) as well as two 50-over World Cups (2013 and 2022).

She captained her country on 14 occasions across three formats, with Australia winning 67 of the 77 ODIs and 53 of 84 T20Is she played.

A talented and stylish batter, Haynes scored 3,818 international runs, including 98 on her Test debut in the Ashes in 2009. She was also an electric fielder, making a name for herself with safe hands and a bullet arm from backward-point to the boundary rope.

A Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal was a final major success for Haynes (second from right) in Australian colours. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Haynes’ legacy off the field is just as noteworthy. An exemplary leader, she was Australia’s vice-captain under Meg Lanning during one of the most successful eras for any team in world sport. She was respected by teammates for the standards she maintained and her cool head in a crisis, both of which were on display throughout Australia’s triumphant T20 campaign in 2020, which might well have faltered if not for her poise and leadership at crucial junctures.

“One of the great things about having a long career is watching those around you develop,” Haynes said. “I’m extremely proud of the way this team has brought players in and nurtured their development. The ability to help players transition smoothly has been instrumental to our team’s success.

“To be a leader within this environment has been the greatest privilege of my career.”

Meg Lanning, Matthew Mott and Rachael Haynes pose with the trophy after Australia won the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in April. Picture: Phil Walter-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

Haynes was almost lost to cricket six years ago.

She struggled to balance cricket commitments with her full-time career. She had not been picked for Australia since 2013 and, at age 30, questioned whether the motivation was still there to continue.

Barely a year later, she was captaining Australia in an Ashes series and World Cup – the start of a remarkable second half to her international career. She missed just one of Australia’s next 38 ODIs from October 2017.

“I think the unique thing about cricket leadership is the role of getting the best out of people and managing the dynamics of the group,” Haynes told CODE Sports in January.

“The best leaders that I’ve played alongside have been those who have been able to get the best out of the people in the group and make everyone feel as though they’ve got a role and contribute to the team’s success.”

Rachael Haynes has also announced the end of a prodigious NSW Breakers career. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Alongside her international retirement, Haynes also confirmed that she has played her last domestic game for the Breakers.

She scored 2,977 runs for NSW at a remarkable average of 49.61. Her tally makes her the fourth highest run scorer in the state’s history behind Alex Blackwell, Lisa Sthalekar and Lisa Keightly.

Haynes is likely to play a final Big Bash campaign with the Sydney Thunder this year, having missed all of last season due to injury and the birth of a son, Hugo, with partner Leah Poulton.

Haynes’ has previously expressed a desire to remain in cricket after her playing career. She possesses multiple degrees, including a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Southern Queensland.

“I’ve tried my best to prepare in terms of what it looks like when I retire,” Haynes told CODE Sports. “I’d love to stay involved in the game. It’s been a really big part of my life so if I exited stage left it would be a little bit odd.”

Rachael Haynes now has a young son with her partner, former Australian player Leah Poulton. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Originally published as Alyssa Healy in contention as Australian women‘s cricket captain following Rachael Haynes’ retirement