Alyssa Healy Retires From International Cricket; Mitchell Starc Shares Heartwarming Post

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc won hearts online with a simple yet deeply emotional three-word Instagram story tribute following his wife Alyssa Healy's announcement of her retirement from international cricket. On January 13, 2026, Healy, one of the most decorated wicketkeeper-batters in women's cricket history, revealed on the Willow Talk podcast that she would step away after Australia's multi-format series against India in February and March. Starc responded with the caption "Proud of ya," accompanied by a heart emoji, a post that quickly went viral for its heartfelt sincerity after nearly a decade of marriage—the couple tied the knot in April 2016.

Healy's retirement marks the end of a remarkable 16-year international career during which she became a cornerstone of Australia's dominance in women's cricket. She has won six T20 World Cups, two 50-over World Cups, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal. With 7,106 runs across formats, she ranks third among Australian women, behind only Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. Her decision comes amid recent injury struggles, including a fractured thumb and a calf strain, as well as a self-described loss of competitive edge. "The last few years have been probably more mentally draining than anything else," Healy explained, noting that the well of motivation was running low.

The 35-year-old will skip the three T20Is against India—allowing younger players to prepare for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales starting June 13, 2026—but she will captain Australia in the ODIs and one-off Test at home. This provides her with a fitting farewell on Australian soil, though she will miss a potential Sydney send-off in the shortest format. Healy expressed mixed emotions about the timing, preferring a quieter exit after the final test, but acknowledged the need to step aside for the team's future planning.

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Starc, a key figure in Australia's men's team and one of the world's premier pacers, shared a separate celebratory post honoring his wife's illustrious journey. The couple's strong partnership has long been admired, with Healy often supporting Starc during his own high-pressure campaigns and vice versa. Fans flooded social media with praise for both the announcement and Starc's understated yet touching gesture, highlighting the personal side of elite sport.

The announcement has sparked widespread tributes to Healy's legacy as a trailblazer in women's cricket, while Starc's three-word message stands out as a perfect blend of pride, love, and quiet support. As Healy prepares for her final appearances, the cricketing world prepares to bid farewell to one of its finest talents.

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