Alyssa Healy's retort for Ian Thorpe after Aussie swimming legend's claim in commentary
The cricket star has held onto a comment made by Ian Thorpe during the Olympics.
Alyssa Healy has called out Ian Thorpe for claiming the women's 4x100m relay swimming team is Australia's most dominant team, suggesting Australia's women's cricket side was overlooked by the swimming legend. Thorpe, an Australian swimming icon, was a commentator for Channel Nine throughout the recent Olympics and is held in high-esteem for his invaluable insight.
Thorpe was in Paris and provided analysis during the Australian swimming team's incredible performance at the Olympics. And the women's 4x100m relay team recorded an Olympic record as they finished first for the fourth successive Games.
Meg Harris, Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack and Emma McKeon produced a remarkable swim to defeat the US and China. And Thorpe was adamant the women's 4x100m relay team - stretching back multiple athletes - stands alone as the most dominant Aussie outfit.
“I don’t think there is a more dominant Australian team in any code, any sport. Please tell me if there is one. Happy to be wrong on it," he said during commentary. However, Healy has something to say about Thorpe's analysis.
The 34-year-old has been a part of the Aussie female cricket team that has dominated the sport for years. The Aussie women's cricket team have won the last four World Cups in both One Day Internationals and T20 cricket and also won Commonwealth Games gold.
They have also held onto the Ashes since 2015 as the No.1 team in the world. And Healy pointed out how cut-throat sport is when the women's cricket team has gone out of mind so quickly when other teams have success.
"I love that (Thorpe) thought that and he’s pointed that out,” Healy told The Courier Mail. “And then all of a sudden, you see people pointing out other teams that have been just as successful. I mean, I love (rugby sevens star) Charlotte Caslick’s quote as well about (in order) to get some attention they’ve got to win gold just to try and get attention.
“And I feel like that’s kind of where we’re at as well. People expect us to win all the time. And when you fall a little bit short, it’s like the world’s ending but at the same time, it’s professional sport, and it’s hard to keep maintain that standard. So look, we’ll keep trying our best and try and get in the front of Thorpey’s mind.”
Alyssa Healy prepares for New Zealand challenge
Healy and the women's cricket team have a another chance to prove Thorpe wrong when they attempt to defend their T20 World Cup crown next month. And preparations are already underway.
Australia will take on New Zealand in Mackay on Thursday, which will be part of three T20s against their rivals to prepare for the World Cup. The Aussies will then head to the UAE for a warm-up game against England on September 29.
Healy will travel to the UAE as wicketkeeper and captain of the women's side. The inclusion of Tayla Vlaeminck in the squad has excited fans with the quick looking to become the first female to crack 130km/h in a match.
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Australian squad for Women’s T20 World Cup:
Alyssa Healy (c, wk), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck. Reserve: Heather Graham.
