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Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday (20 October) announced the appointment of Alyssa Healy as the women’s team vice-captain across all three formats. Healy fills the role left vacant following Rachael Haynes' retirement from international cricket last month. The wicketkeeper batter has been a vital cog in the Australian team for a long time now. With captain Meg Lanning on an indefinite break, Healy could soon find her leading the team in their upcoming campaigns.
Healy’s first-ever assignment can be the five-game T20I tour of India in December. She can then lead Australia in home ODIs and T20Is against Pakistan in January, and the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.
"We're delighted that Alyssa has agreed to take on the role of vice-captain and look forward to the contribution she can make in tandem with Meg," Shawn Flegler, Head of Performance, Women's Cricket and National Selector said.
"Alyssa is an outstanding leader on and off the field and brings a wealth of experience to the role. We have great confidence in Alyssa, Meg and Shelley leading the team during an exciting 12-month period that will see the team defend its T20 World Cup title and look to retain the Ashes on English soil."
"It's a privilege to have been offered the vice-captaincy of any Australian team, let alone one that's tasted as much success as this one," Healy said on her appointment. "Rach played a key role in supporting Meg as well as driving the values and culture of the team and while she leaves big shoes to fill, I'm looking forward to helping lead this side alongside Meg and Shell. "
Australia also has two new assistant coaches with Dan Marsh and Scott Prestwidge to work alongside head coach Shelley Nitschke, as the world's top-ranked side continues to undergo a period of change. Marsh and Prestwidge replace former assistant Ben Sawyer, who departed to coach New Zealand's women's team in May, and Nitschke, who was elevated to the top job when Matthew Mott took over as head coach of England's men's white-ball teams.