Alyssa Healy is no stranger to Yorkshire Cricket and admits it will be good to be back after signing to play for the Diamonds in this summer’s Kia Super League.
Albeit only briefly, the Australia’s star wicketkeeper-batsman has worn the White Rose before, in 2012 for the regular Yorkshire women’s county side whilst over here watching her now husband Mitchell Starc play for the Yorkshire men.
“It was a long time ago,” she recalled.
“I ended up just playing the one game (against Sussex at Harrogate, scoring 24 and taking two catches).
“Whoever was keeping at the time broke their thumb, and I filled in for them the day before I was due to fly back to Australia.
“I think I was there for about five weeks in all and watched a lot of the boys play at the time. They played really well, and I enjoyed travelling around the country watching them. It was cool.
“So it was nice to get the call from Yorkshire for this summer because there’s a bit of a connection there with Mitch playing over there. I got to know the organisation and the people who worked there.
“It’s going to be exciting to go back, and it would be great to have some success.”
In that game against Sussex – a defeat – Healy played alongside Rachel Hildreth, the daughter of Diamonds general manager Jane.
Also, whilst playing some league cricket, Hildreth junior actually got Healy out.
“Oh really. I don’t recall that, but I’m sure Jane will remind me when I meet her,” chuckled Healy.
The fourth and final edition of the KSL – it will be replaced by the Hundred from 2020 – follows an Ashes series next month and begins on August 6.
Healy, 29, has 159 international caps to her name, over 2,500 runs and just short of 150 dismissals behind the stumps.
She was named as the player of the tournament when Australia won the World T20 in the West Indies late last year as well as winning the Belinda Clark Medal, Cricket Australia’s prize for their player of 2018.
A serial winner with Australia, New South Wales Breakers and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash, Healy is delighted to finally get the chance to play in the Super League.
“It’s probably good timing for me to come and play. It’s obviously a huge summer of cricket over there in England, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” she said.
“I keep a close eye on the Super League every year.
“It’s been good to see a lot of the Australians head over there and be a part of it. It’s a really great domestic competition like we have with the Big Bash in Australia, and it’s attracting a lot of the big internationals from around the world.
“I’ve always been keen to play in it at one point. This year is a good year for me to go and do that.
“I’m going to have to be on by best behaviour in the Ashes to make sure my team-mates like me when I get there!
“Katherine (Brunt) is one who I really enjoy playing against in international cricket, but I’ve got no doubts that I’ll much prefer catching them from her than having to face her!”
Healy will actually be one of only a couple of Aussies in this summer’s competition, which is positioned in between the Ashes and the Big Bash, which has been brought forward to October.
“Our international and domestic schedule this year is really crazy,” she added.
“There’s a lot of touring, travelling and games of cricket. So I know a lot of the girls, especially after a big 12 months that we’ve just had as well, are just conscious of making sure the stay fresh throughout our summer.
“I’d be lying if I said Mitch being over there (for the men’s Ashes) wasn’t a factor in deciding to play this year.
“But, at the same time, it’s a really good opportunity for me with where I’m at in my career to experience everything that’s going on in cricket at the moment.
“To keep that momentum going as well with my cricket is important. It’s better to be playing rather than coming home and training. I’d rather hone my skills on the field than on the training paddock.”
Secure tickets for the KSL/Vitality Blast double header
Sunday 11th August
Kia Super League – Yorkshire Diamonds vs Loughborough Lightning – 11am start
Vitality Blast – Yorkshire Vikings v Derbyshire Falcons – 3pm start
A ticket for the Vitality Blast game also gives you access to the Kia Super League game preceding it.