Australia women's captain Alyssa Healy hilariously roasted her husband and Australian pacer bowler Mitchell Starc during the innings break of the second women's ODI match against South Africa at North Sydney on Wednesday, January 7.
Starc and Healy are the most successful couple in the history of International cricket. Mitchell Starc is well-known for his lethal pace coupled with swing bowling while her wife Alyssa Healy is renowned for her batting brilliance and wicketkeeping skills. The couple were often seen supporting each other's cricketing careers.
In a video went viral on social media, Mitchell Starc can be seen suggesting to his wife and Australian women's skipper about the line and length of her teammate Tim McGrath.
"I feel Kim Garth can bowl a fraction fuller to get an edge. She is bowling a holding and discipline line, but don’t you think if she pitches it up, there is a chance of getting an edge"
Alyssa Healy stumped her cricketer husband by saying, "If you are being highly critical, yes, she can. But that’s her natural line and length. She has to keep one end tight, and that’s what her role is in the team."
Alyssa Healy took over captaincy duties of Australia women's team across all formats following Meg Lanning's sudden retirement from cricket. Her first assignment as a full-time was the Only Women's Test against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last year but lost the match. However, the 33-year-old won the first series 2-1 as a captain in ODI leg of India tour.
While, Healy's husband Mitchell Starc was part of Australia's two-match series against West Indies, which ended in 1-1 draw after the Caribbean side pulled off thrilling and historic 8-wicket win at The Gabba. Starc has been rested for white-ball series against West Indies and will return to action for New Zealand tour later this month.
Australia restrict South Africa to 229 in 45 overs
After being opted to bowl first, Australia women got an early wicket in South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, dismissed by Meghan Scutt for a duck at 0/1.
Thereafter, Tazmin Brits and Anneke Bosch frustrated the Australian bowlers with their 55-run stand for the second wicket but Annabel Sutherland was brought into attack in the 12th over to break the partnership by dismissing Brits for 21. Bosch stay at the crease ended after she was removed by Ashleigh Gardner for 44 at 71/3.
Thereafter, Australian bowlers were again frustrated with 46-run partnership between Sune Luss and Marizanne Kapp until Gardner was brought into attack in the 25th over to dismiss the latter for 19 at 117/4. Then, Kapp and Nadine de Klerk was building a good partnership before Kim McGrath dismissed the latter for 14 at 153/5.
Marizanne Kapp gritty innings came to an end after she was taken out by Meghan Scutt for 75 at 198/6. At the end of 45 overs, South Africa posted a total of 229/6, with Chloe Tryon and Eliz-mari Marx unbeaten on 37 and 2 respectively.
For Australia, Meghan Scutt and Ashleigh Gardner picked two wickets each while Kim McGrath and Annabel Sutherland contributed with a scalp each.
