Australian captain Alyssa Healy delivered an unforgettable performance, smashing a blistering 142 runs to lead her team to the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history. Australia magnificently hunted down 331 runs, securing a thrilling three-wicket victory over India. In a candid chat on the Willow Talk podcast, Healy revealed the unusual factors behind her remarkable knock: her “grumpiness,” an intense battle with full-body cramps, and a surprising post-match “beer secret” that she credits for her recovery.
Reflecting on the monumental achievement, Healy expressed her pride, stating, “To chase down the highest one-day total in the women’s game — in a World Cup, in a big moment — was a nice place to be. It was a big game for both sides, so to know we could pull ourselves over the line was pretty cool.”
The challenging conditions in Visakhapatnam, known for its heat and humidity and lack of ocean breeze, made her innings particularly arduous. “It was tough work,” she admitted. The physical toll was evident as she experienced severe full-body cramps after her dismissal. “At one point, I had a full-body cramp once I finally got out. I was in the change room and didn’t know what to do — whether to lie down or just sit there,” she recounted. Surprisingly, a forearm cramp in her bottom hand might have even aided her batting. “After I got back to the change room, the air conditioner was on, and once I stopped moving, my body decided to completely shut down. But that was fine — we got the important part done, which is what matters.”
She humorously detailed the chaotic scene post-match, surrounded by teammates and staff. “Suddenly, I was like, uh-oh — everything started to seize up… the cramp took over my whole body, and I curled up in a ball.” A quick text from her manager summoned the physio, resolving the dramatic episode. When podcast host Adam Peacock humorously questioned her recovery strategy, hinting at conventional methods like ice baths or pickle juice, Healy had a classic response. She light-heartedly confessed, “There may have been a couple of beers on ice when we got back. So I thought that was the perfect recovery tool.”