Healy smashes skipper's record in stunning knock

Maiden T20I century. Fastest T20I hundred by an Australian. Highest T20 score by a woman, ever.

It’s hard to imagine thriving at something more than Alyssa Healy currently is at cricket.

After knocking off her 100th T20 appearance in Australian colours on Monday, Healy’s record-breaking knock of 148 from just 61 deliveries etched her name squarely into the record books to solidify her place among the greats of the game.

It’s one of those performances that will be spoken of in years to come.

Healy could do no wrong on the batting track at North Sydney Oval that has proved so fruitful for her team.

Splitting fielders in all parts of the ground, lofting the ball over the rope with consummate ease, Healy finished with a whopping 19 fours and 7 sixes.

It became apparent after Healy celebrated triple figures in the 16th over that she was by no means finished and could be a chance to rewrite history.

The twist being, the ink had only just dried on the record that Meg Lanning – who joined Healy in the middle for the latter part of the Australian innings – had set with her 133 against England at Chelmsford in July.

"There was a bit of banter,” Healy admitted after beating Lanning’s world record.

"I said ‘I’m coming for you Meg’ at some point when it came up on the big screen.

"She did say at the end, if it was in her zone, she was going to go for it, but otherwise she’ll take the single.

"Nice team play there from Meg, that’s why she’s skipper.”

Healy’s colossal score powered Australia to a total of 2-226 to set up a 132-run win in the final T20I against Sri Lanka, and a 3-0 series sweep.

A trademark of Healy’s for the past 18 months – which have seen her in career- best form - is her unwavering commitment to her own explosive brand of cricket.

Healy understands her role within the team perfectly: go big from the get-go, set a platform for a big score.

"I didn’t change my mindset at all coming into this series,” explained Healy.

"I was going to go out there and try and get the team off to a good start.

"Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. I felt like I did my job in the first two games, but just couldn’t quite capitalise on a start.”

Healy’s scores of 45 and 21 in the previous two T20I fixtures against Sri Lanka gave the crowd what they came to see, but today, the North Sydney faithful were treated to the extended version of her brilliant best.

In taking just 46 balls to reach triple figures, Healy became the fastest Australian cricketer – male or female – to score a T20I ton.

"Today was extra special, it’s just one of those days were everything seems to come off alright,” Healy said.

"It’s a pleasing milestone to pass. It took me a very long time to get a one-day hundred, and I think it’s been even longer for a T20 one.

"It’s really nice, they’re not easy to come by in the T20 format so it was nice to cash in today.”

While from a personal standpoint, it’s unlikely that Healy could’ve imagined a more satisfying way to better her previous high score of 90 to bring up her first T20I century, but she is adamant that it is team success that continues to drive her.

"We don’t play for the individual honours but we know that if we’re scoring big runs, the team is going to be in good spot,” Healy said. 

"That’s the sort of cricket we want to be playing all the time. It’s giving us great confidence heading into the one-day series.

"The group's in a really great place, and it’s a really nice feel in the changeroom so hopefully we can hang onto that.”

With a second consecutive bilateral T20I series sweep in the bag Australia will turn their focus to the longer format of the game ahead of three ODIs in Brisbane in the coming week.

Healy said Australia would have no issues in adjusting to the format, viewing the series as an opportunity for her side to enjoy valuable time with the bat and ball.

"I’m excited for that series and hopefully a lot of our batters will get an opportunity to make some big runs," she said.

"It’s a format we’ve been really consistent at over a long period of time, it’s just about going through the gears a little bit more and giving yourself a little bit more time to get in with the bat.

"And obviously with the ball, the bowlers enjoy having a longer spell.”

The three ODIs will be played at Allan Border Field. Tickets are available at cricket.com.au/tickets, while the matches will be broadcast live on Channel 7, Fox Sports, Kayo and the CA Live app.

CommBank Series v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns (T20I only), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Madavi, Shashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Yashoda Mendis, Nilakshi De Silva, Dilani Manodara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Udeshika Probodhani, Ama Kanchana.

First T20I: Australia won by 41 runs

Second T20I: Australia won by nine wickets

Third T20I: Australia won by 132 runs

First ODI: October 5, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Second ODI:October 7, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Third ODI: October 9, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

*All ODIs are ICC Women's Championship matches