Australian cricketers Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy on the challenges of their separate lives on the road
Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy have given a frank account of the difficulties of living a long-distance relationship as elite cricketers.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘Embarrassing:’ Test hopefuls flop with careers on the line
- Hussey: Pakistan star who’s joined Smith, Kohli level
Between them they’ve conquered the world, but there is one obstacle Australian sports’ No.1 power couple have never been able to tame — the cricket calendar.
The marital home of Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy could house two World Cups in the one year in 2020, yet they’re perennially at the mercy of two cluttered schedules that forces them to often lead very singular lives.
Starc spent five months in England this year and Healy three, but even in the same country they were only able to spend 10 days together.
Wednesday marks 100 days until the start of the women’s Twenty20 World Cup on home soil, however, for Starc, it’s more of a countdown to when he will be away with the men’s team in South Africa.
Stream every match of the Marsh One-Day Cup LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial>
By the time Starc is home again lining up against New Zealand in March, he and his wife will have passed again like ships in the night with Healy to take his place in South Africa with the women’s side.
Starc is the No.1 white ball bowler in the world, and Healy the premier batter, but cricket can also be merciless.
“It’s definitely not the easiest thing and we’ve probably both found it’s gotten tougher as the last couple of years have played out with the girls playing a lot more cricket now, which is fantastic for them,” Starc told The Daily Telegraph.
“But it just means we see even less of each other which is a bit frustrating and tough at times.
“The fact we both obviously play cricket, the understanding of each other and the schedules we face is there.
“There’s definitely pros and cons as there are for everyone else, but cricket doesn’t last forever, does it.”
Starc endured a difficult Ashes campaign where he only played one of the five Tests, and handled it with aplomb.
But there are times when you want your partner there to help you through life’s obstacles or celebrate the highlights, and Healy says that’s the hardest part.
“Speaking really honestly, I think it definitely has got harder,” said Healy.
“The way our schedules are at the moment, they’re completely different and it makes it incredibly challenging that neither one of us can travel to the other person to at least keep them company for a little while.
“… I think we’re still trying to discover the real answer to that question. I think just accepting where we’re at and what we’re both doing with our careers is probably the best way to go about it.
“It’s really easy to get disappointed or upset that they’re on the other side of the world when you’re potentially doing something really cool, or you need your husband or your partner there with you.
“I think just acknowledging that they’re also doing something really special and creating memories for themselves (is how you have to think) and once you get there that makes it a little bit better if that makes sense.
“We’re both in the prime of our careers and really enjoying our cricket … and if we can get through this little period then the rest of our lives should hopefully be a little easier.”
World Cup pedigree is rich in the ‘Stealy’ household: Healy was the player of the last women’s World Cup, while Starc was the MVP of the 2015 men’s World Cup on Australian soil.
The women’s World Cup launches in February-March, and then the men’s edition in October – and both Starc and Healy are primed to dominate.
“To have the opportunity for both of us to be able to play at a home World Cup is going to be incredibly exciting,” said Healy.
“To be there for Mitch’s final in 2015, I’ve never heard anything as loud as when he knocked Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) over in that first over. That was unbelievably special and they’re special experiences for everyone involved – the partners and the families.”