Australian captain Alyssa Healy falls just short of major milestone

Captain Alyssa Healy led an impressive display from the home side against South Africa before she suffered a crushing blow.

In a historic occasion at the WACA Ground in Perth, the Australian women’s team landed all the big blows in an impressive day of Test cricket against South Africa.

In the first ever Test match between the Aussies and Proteas, players were met with scorching 43-degree heat in Perth.

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So Australia’s decision to send the tourists in to bat after Alyssa Healy won the toss was widely met with scorn and derision, as it potentially subjected her team to a long spell in the field in the searing conditions.

“Really weird decision to bowl first,” was one comment on X, formerly Twitter.

“Why bowl first on a 40C day lmao,” wrote another.

Darcie Brown (left) defied the conditions to star with the ball. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“Geez, it’s stinking hot,” wrote a third. “I would have batted without hesitation.”

There is a reason, of course, why Healy is one of Australia’s great modern-day cricketers and those armchair critics are sitting at home in those armchairs.

Healy would then be involved in more controversy much later in the day, more on that shortly.

At the end of just 31.2 overs to start the match, the entire South African team was back in the dressing room, pondering what exactly had just happened.

Darcie Brown was the main answer to that query, the South Australian quick who is still three weeks shy of her 21st birthday.

Brown took a remarkable 5-21 from 9.2 overs as the Proteas were rolled for just 76, the lowest total in South African women’s Test history.

This was a familiar sight during South Africa’s brief first innings. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Darcie Brown (second right) finished with five wickets in quick time. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

No less than nine of the visitors failed to reach double-figures, with Sune Luus playing a lone hand with her 26 from 45 balls.

No. 10 Masabata Klaas added 10 runs in the 12th lowest total in women’s Test cricket history.

South Africa’s previous low score was 89 against New Zealand way back in 1972.

“It’s an unforgiving game,” said Aussie great Rachael Haynes on Fox Cricket during a drinks break.

“This match is moving quickly, seeing 13 wickets fall in two sessions essentially.”

“Yeah that’s an understatement,” replied Isa Guha. “Thirteen wickets and we haven’t even got to tea yet on day one of this WACA Test.

“We’ll definitely get a result. There’s no question of that.”

The top-ranked Australian side didn’t have everything its own way once it started batting.

Alyssa Healy walks from the field after her devastating dismissal. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The hosts slumped to 3/12 from just 4.5 overs, with Phoebe Litchfield (4 runs), Ellyse Perry (3) and Tahlia McGrath (0) all back in the pavilion.

Healy led the recovery, not out 33 at tea, alongside Beth Mooney (26 not out) as Australia nears a first-innings lead at 3/70.

They went on with it in the final session before Healy fell short of a major milestone.

There was some uncertainty as a South African fielder tried to cut a ball off at the rope when Healy was on 97.

If that had been called a boundary, Healy would have brought up her maiden Test ton.

Instead, she was dismissed two balls later on 99.

Healy was gutted. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

While South Africa celebrated. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“On no, Alyssa Healy. What a way to go out for 99. Another look at two balls earlier please,” journalist Peter Ryan tweeted.

“It was a 4, how was that not called?” was one reply.

“Devastating,” was the short reply from another.

After the shock dismissal, the commentators were pondering what had happened and why and one came up with a theory based on Healy’s husband, Aussie quick Mitchell Starc.

“I’ve worked it out. It’s all making sense to me,” Mel Jones said. “Mitch Starc, highest Test score, 99 versus India.

Out for 99! 💔

Alyssa Healy falls one short of a Test century - as Tucker takes her first Test wicket! #PlayOfTheDay | @hcltech | #AUSvSApic.twitter.com/eBEinOAGr2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 15, 2024

“So husband and wife now sharing their highest Test match scores together.

“She’s just going to say it’s her niceness coming through.”

Knowing how competitive Healy is, Haynes wasn’t quite sure.

“That’s really sweet, it is Valentine’s Day. I’m not quite sure that’s what she had in mind,” she said as all three commentators broke up into laughter.

“I’ve seen the two of them on the golf course, that’s definitely not what she had in mind,” Jones added.

At stumps, Australia was 5/251, with Annabel Sutherland on 54 not out and Ashleigh Gardner yet to score.