Alyssa Healy breaks MS Dhoni’s T20 wicketkeeping record
A record breaking effort by wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy has helped women’s world champions Australia seal a series-clinching win over New Zealand - not that she had any idea at the time.
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A record breaking effort by wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy has helped women’s world champions Australia seal a series-clinching, eight wicket Twenty20 international win over New Zealand on Sunday.
Not that Healy had any idea at the time.
Brisbane’s Allan Border Field was buzzing during the trans-Tasman series’ second game when Healy moved to 92 ‘keeper dismissals in her 114th T20I.
It was the most in T20I history, overtaking Indian great MS Dhoni (91 off 98).
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But Healy seemed to be the last to know after Australia bowled the White Ferns out for 128 before reeling in their target with 20 balls to spare to seal their 10th straight T20I series.
After early fireworks from Healy (33 off 17 balls), an unbeaten 65-run stand by skipper Meg Lanning (26 not out off 32 balls) and her deputy Rachael Haynes (40 not out off 31) guided Australia to 2-129 and an unbeatable 2-0 series lead with one game left on Wednesday.
“I had no idea about it. I was wondering why I was being asked about MS Dhoni - I thought it was a very strange discussion we were about to have,” Healy laughed when asked about her record.
“It’s obviously a very nice individual accolade but honestly it reflects better on our bowling attack than myself.”
Is there anything behind the line?
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 27, 2020
Third umpire says no! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/TbH3gTUtRF
Healy equalled Dhoni’s 91 scalp mark with a contentious stumping call that went against Amy Satterthwaite (30 off 25) off impressive Australian leggie Georgia Wareham (3-26).
Third umpire Donovan Koch took an agonising four minutes to finally give Satterthwaite the red light after deliberating over replays despite some angles indicating the White Ferns ex-captain had a boot stud behind the crease.
It marked the second time in as many games Healy was on the right end of a contentious stumping call.
Elite stuff in the field by Nicola Carey! @Commbank | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/zKrdp2kjIl
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 27, 2020
“From my point of view I thought it was out...but it taking so long it must have been incredibly tight,” said Healy, who also benefited from a dubious stumping decision against New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine on Saturday.
“It’s not every day that you get the benefit of the doubt to the fielding side - I have got two in a row now so hopefully it continues.”
Healy then surpassed Dhoni with yet another eyebrow raiser, earning a caught behind call that dismissed Lauren Down (12) off Wareham despite barely appealing and replays indicating it may have missed the batter’s gloves.
Healy capped her record breaking game with a blistering opener’s knock, thrashing five fours and six to help Australia reach 50 in just the fifth over of their run chase.
It was a welcome form return for Healy who was dismissed for just six in Australia’s 17-run game one win on Saturday.
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But Healy was more focused on team success, suggesting Australia may have a psychological edge over New Zealand due to their stunning T20I run.
Australia once struggled to beat New Zealand but have now won seven straight T20Is and four consecutive series in the format against their former bogey side.
“We are confident that we can fight our way out of situations - I guess it is some sort of psychological edge,” Healy said.
“Twenty20 cricket is so hard to be consistent at. For this group to have won 10 T20 series on the trot is remarkable.”
Originally published as Alyssa Healy breaks MS Dhoni’s T20 wicketkeeping record
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