Alyssa Healy has been officially confirmed as the Australian Women’s cricket team’s new captain

Alyssa Healy has been Australia’s captain for the past 12 months — but only in an interim capacity. After being announced as Meg Lanning’s permanent successor, she delved into what the next era would be like.

Alyssa Healy is confident that she can help create a new legacy for the Australian women’s cricket team after officially being appointed as Meg Lanning’s successor.

The Cricket Australia board ratified the choice on Friday, and while the decision has felt like somewhat of a formality after her success as the interim leader over the past 12 months, Healy knows that the certainty it provides will help the team going forward.

The 33-year-old also admitted that the process of applying for the role gave her more clarity on what she wants to achieve as she enters the twilight of her career.

Healy now has the assignment of balancing her batting, keeping and full-time captaincy. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“I think the legacy that Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes had for a really long period of time was outstanding,” Healy said. “And I was a part of that.

“But it feels like we’re a little bit new. We’ve got talent coming through and with all the players coming in and out it was an opportunity to reset and refresh.

“I want to help create a new legacy for this Australian team.

“I think both Tahlia (McGrath) and I have probably felt like we’ve been warming the seat, and I think that’s been tricky for Shelley Nitschke as well who’s new in the role.

“When Meg announced her retirement, it made me think about what I wanted to do. And I think probably for the first time, I picked up the phone to Shawn Felgler and said, ‘I think I want to do this job for the side’.

Alyssa Healy is Australia’s new captain. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Cricket Australia

“I think we can achieve great things in that time, but more so set it up for the next 10 years to be really successful. And having a more permanent role and a bit more clarity around it gives all three of us as the leadership of the side an opportunity to stamp our mark and get the group to where we want to.”

Having a front-row seat to Lanning’s more than a decade in charge of the Australian team meant that Healy was always going to take lessons from her predecessor’s leadership style.

But now that the role is official, she’s hoping to emulate Lanning’s ability to carry the weight of not only the team but the country on her shoulders.

And while that might feel like an enormous burden, she’s hopeful that pressure will take her own game to the next level.

“I think what I’ve learned from Meg over her leadership is how resilient she is and her ability to pick up the team, put them on her shoulders and go, ‘I’m gonna go out there and win the game for my side’,” Healy said.

“That probably hasn’t always been the way that I’ve played my cricket, and it’s probably not been the way that I’ve led either. But if I can find some middle ground and go, ‘It’s my time to go out there and win the game’ … then I’m going to go out there and do that as a leader.

“My captaincy has changed in the past 12 months and I can’t wait to see what it’s going to do over the next couple of seasons and where it will take me.

“Yes, I’d love to play some really good cricket and continue to contribute to this side on the field. But if I can help encourage the young players to do that just as well as what I can, then I feel like I’m doing my job.”

Alyssa Healy led Australia during the Ashes this year. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

Healy with the Ashes trophy. Picture: Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Healy’s first task will be leading the Australian side that leaves for India next Wednesday. It will be the first time in more than 40 years that Australia has played a Test in India, and Healy is confident after her freak finger injury earlier this summer she will be ready for the occasion.

“It’s gonna be hard to peel that blazer off me now that it’s on,” Healy said.

“I’ve got no doubt that I’ll be there. The finger is going really well and I’ve hit a couple of times in the past week. So I’ll hopefully be strolling out there calling the toss correctly on the 21st.

“The fact that I’m 33 and I’ve had a really long career and something still excited me in the game, I’m really privileged to stand here and say that … and I’m really excited to be given the nod and have the opportunity to captain in my mind what is the most exciting cricket team in the world.”

Originally published as Alyssa Healy has been officially confirmed as the Australian Women’s cricket team’s new captain