Alyssa Healy's heartbreaking dismissal on 99 (Source: @ICC/x.com)
In a tense Test match, when a team is struggling, a heroic century often changes the final outcome, but there is also another side to it; sometimes, the stories end at heartbreaking 99. Few understand that pain better than Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc, the Australian power couple who have long been pillars of their nation’s cricket, yet have seen Test centuries narrowly slip away from their record books.
Facing South Africa Women in 2024, Alyssa Healy showcased exceptional brilliance as the entire cricket world waited to celebrate her three magical figure mark. But just when the celebration felt seconds away, heartbreak struck as she fell agonizingly short on 99.
You must be thinking, where is the similarity between Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc? The heartbreak of 99; the same cruel fate that struck Healy against the Proteas Women had already shattered Starc a decade earlier against India. Before Healy plays her last Test match, let’s relive the most heartbreaking moment of her career.
Perth holds its breath, but Alyssa Healy walks back on a painful 99
Since the earliest time of cricket, the cricketing talents of Australia have always turned heads, whether it's men’s or women’s cricket. The country’s women cricketers carried the same dominance, forcing opponents to stay constantly on guard. Among all the stars, Alyssa Healy remained a superstar of the game.
The wicketkeeper-batter turned heads with sublime knocks, but her dismissal on heartbreaking 99 remained the biggest unhealed wound of her Test career. In 2024, when Australia Women faced South Africa Women at WACA Ground, fans witnessed a gripping contest, unaware that Healy was heading toward one of the most heartbreaking dismissals of her career.
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While bowling first, Australia stole the limelight with lethal bowling, bundling out the opponent in just 76 runs. As the home side was expected to continue the domination, Proteas' bowling attack turned the tide. When Australia was 12/3, Alyssa Healy walked in to bat.
Stitching a game-changing partnership with Beth Mooney, the Australian skipper smashed a fifty in just 59 balls. Channeling her inner excellence, she kept swinging the bat on high as the opponent bowlers faced the heat.
When she entered the 90s, the Perth crowd held their breath to witness Alyssa Healy’s maiden Test hundred, but density has a heartbreaking plan. In the 55th over, Delmi Tucker came to bowl and became the biggest villain of Healy’s Test career.
In the third delivery of the over, she dismissed the Australian captain in an outstanding caught and bowled, and her century dream was dashed most cruelly. The fans were in disbelief as the biggest milestone of her Test career remained away just by one run as she walked away scoring 99 runs in 124 deliveries.
A painful Déjà Vu as Mitchell Starc faced the same cruel fate
Whenever Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc are spotted together, fans never fail to admire their chemistry and the couple goals they set. Yet the cruel dismissal of 99 became a strangely heartbreaking similarity in their cricketing journeys. As Alyssa Healy endured the pain in 2024, the ace Australian pacer dealt with this more than a decade ago.
While facing India in the third Test match of the four-match Test series, Starc endured the massive heartbreak. Team India was well prepared for Starc’s deadly bouncers, but on that day, batter Mitchell Starc became the Indian bowlers’ biggest nightmare.
As Australia faced an early slump, Starc stepped in with courage. Facing the Indian bowling attack, Starc scored a crucial half-century in 86 deliveries. His effortless stroke play had fans on edge, anticipating what looked like a historic moment in his career.
A clinical bowler with a Test century already to his name, Mitchell Starc was on the brink of a historic milestone when fate intervened. In the 139th over, Ishant Sharma removed him, and he walked away scoring 99 runs.
From 2013 to 2024, the couple enjoyed some of the historic moments of their careers, but the cruel dismissal in 99s kept them away from Test hundreds. When Alyssa Healy was dismissed on 99, the world couldn’t celebrate their couple goals, stunned instead by the heartbreaking twist of destiny.
A storied era comes to an end for Australia Women’s team
Since Healy donned the Australian jersey, the nation embraced some of the greatest moments of women’s cricket. As the Australian men’s team showcased their indomitable dominance, the women’s side channeled the same energy, and Alyssa Healy remained one of the main reasons behind it.
A glorious chapter is now drawing to a close as Healy stands on the brink of the end of her international career, facing India Women in her final match. Amidst her white-ball brilliance, her red-ball brilliance may look short, but she ruled the Test format effortlessly.
In 10 Tests, she scored 489 runs, along with three half-centuries, with an average of 30.56. Just not as a batter, she led Australia towards a historic Women's Ashes triumph. Even after starting his international career at rock bottom, she revived herself and turned into a fierce batter.
As Australian cricket prepares to bid farewell to one of its superstars, emotions run high among fans. Even if Alyssa Healy closes a glorious career filled with remarkable milestones, the Australian crowd will forever cheer for their very own ‘Midge’.
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