New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) - Alyssa Healy, the captain of Australia, declared on Tuesday her decision to retire from all formats of cricket after the upcoming multi-format series against India. This series will conclude with a Test match at the WACA Ground in Perth on March 6.

Healy made this announcement during the Willow Talk podcast she co-hosts, marking the end of her impressive 16-year international career. Throughout her journey, she has contributed to an astonishing seven World Cup victories (including one ODI and six T20I titles) and clinched a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games since debuting in both white-ball formats in February 2010.

She will retire as the most accomplished wicketkeeper in the women's international cricket scene with a total of 269 dismissals across all formats (24 in 10 Tests, 119 in 123 ODIs, and 126 in 162 T20Is).

Moreover, Healy ranks among the top all-format run-scorers, with 7,106 runs, placing her behind only Meg Lanning (8,352) and Ellyse Perry (7,607) in the Australian women's records.

"It's with mixed emotions that I announce the upcoming series against India will be my last for Australia," Healy stated. "While my passion for representing Australia remains strong, I've noticed a decline in the competitive drive that has fueled me since the beginning—therefore, it feels appropriate to step away now."

"Though I won't be participating in the T20s against India due to limited preparation for the team and my absence from the T20 World Cup this year, I am eager to conclude my career by captaining the ODI and Test side at home against India—one of our most significant series," she added.

Healy's retirement from the T20 format is effective immediately, meaning she will not partake in the three T20Is that will initiate India's multi-format tour in February. This decision strips her of a chance to bid farewell in her hometown, as the first T20I is the only match scheduled in Sydney.

In the latter part of her career, Healy faced numerous injury challenges, including a recent fractured thumb that kept her out at the beginning of the WBBL season, alongside a calf strain that sidelined her during Australia's final two ODI World Cup group matches.

"The past few years have been mentally more taxing than anything else. With a series of injuries, I've had to dig deep into my reserves, which have been dwindling, making it increasingly difficult to find that drive," Healy expressed.

She further commented, "I never intended to announce my retirement in this way; my goal was to finish the Test match, hang up my boots, and celebrate my achievements. However, not going to the T20 World Cup has forced this change—there isn't much T20 cricket leading up to the tournament, so I've had to make a decision that allows the team to prepare effectively for the World Cup without me."

This choice to withdraw from the T20Is gives Australia the opportunity to gear up for the forthcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, with their initial match of that campaign set for June 13 in Manchester.

Australia is slated to play three T20Is at home against India and three away matches in the West Indies before the T20 World Cup.

No specific replacement for Healy as captain has been confirmed across formats. Current vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, alongside Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield, have been mentioned as potential successors.

In addition to her international retirement, Healy will also conclude her domestic and franchise cricket commitments. She was not selected in this season's Women’s Premier League auction and missed the previous year due to a stress injury in her right foot.

Healy is expected to represent NSW in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) over the next month as she prepares for the series against India.