The smile was back on Alyssa Healy’s face as the Australia captain fired her side to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20 international at North Sydney Oval.
Healy and her all-conquering side were out to rediscover their joy for the contest after a hard-fought Ashes series, but also had to overcome a brave West Indies, who set a tricky target of 148 on Sunday.
The Australia skipper drew from the challenges faced in the tied series against England to steer her side toward a total of 2-149 with a powerful half century against West Indies, while Tahlia McGrath helped complete the chase with 40 balls to spare.
"I had a lot of learnings after the Ashes about captaincy and leadership and then actually preparing myself to go out there and perform as well,” Healy told Channel Seven.
"It's still not quite there, I'm still searching for a little bit of rhythm, I haven't had a huge amount of cricket leading in, but I'm just happy to get out there and get amongst the runs.”
Healy opened the batting in her 250th international match and went on to smash 56 runs from only 29 balls with three sixes and seven fours.
The 33-year-old eventually skied a shot over cover to be caught off the bowling of Hayley Matthews (1/17) but the damage had already been done with Australia then 2-107 in the 10th over.
McGrath ensured Australia started their summer campaign with a commanding triumph as the all-rounder cruised to an unbeaten 60 off 32 with three sixes and eight fours.
"A real objective of our group is to go and enjoy ourselves. I felt like in the Ashes series, in particular when we were under the pump, it was probably the first time that we didn't really have smiles on our faces and we weren't enjoying being under pressure,” Healy said.
"So that was a real focus of, 'Let's go out there, let's play together and let's enjoy ourselves', because that's when we play our best cricket.”
Matthews had earlier led the way for West Indies with a stunning innings but was left stranded at the non-striker’s end on 99 not out.
She had looked set for a second T20I century until Shemaine Campbelle (19) was stumped off the second-last ball of the innings to leave Matthews watching the final delivery from the bowler's end.
The all-rounder batted through West Indies' innings while putting together an entertaining knock from 74 balls, with four sixes and 12 fours.
Megan Schutt (0/15) took the new ball in her 100th T20I for Australia and only conceded one run from two overs in her opening spell as Matthews lit up the contest from the other end.
The quick remained the pick of the Australia bowlers even as Matthews led West Indies to a target that gave them hope but ultimately proved too little against a dominant Australia.
"We were still a couple of runs short on such a good wicket and then obviously in the field, we put down a lot of chances, myself included. That could have definitely changed the game," Matthews said while accepting the player of the match award.
