CRICKET

By LIAM DURKIN

 

WITH Australian wicketkeeper and women’s captain Alyssa Healy announcing her retirement, the race is on to find a replacement.

Healy (35) will step down at the end of the home series against India this March.

The announcement means Latrobe Valley local Nicole Faltum might suddenly be jumped up the queue to take the gloves.

Faltum has been around professional traps for the best part of a decade, playing for Australia A, Victoria and in the WBBL.

As it stands though, Beth Mooney (32) looks the most likely to succeed Healy behind the pegs, but Faltum could well be a close second.

Faltum, who turned 26 last Saturday, has come of age in recent years, adding contributions with the bat to being super-reliable in the field.

By her own admission, she was a “specialist fielder” when she started with the Melbourne Stars nearly 10 years ago, but has since scored centuries at first class level.

“Over the last couple of seasons, just when I’ve been able to really contribute and see some scores, and, especially in one-day cricket, by having a little bit more responsibility at the top of the order, and opening the batting, and being able to consistently score runs. I feel like that’s really helped with my confidence,” she told Cricinfo last December.

Whoever gets the nod as Healy’s successor, there is unlikely to be any jealously on the part of the former Trafalgar and Morwell cricketer.

Faltum spoke highly of Healy and Mooney, who she has shared the playing field with at various stages.

“Both of them have been amazing with their time and so generous in helping me, which I’m extremely grateful for,” Faltum said.

“I had a few rough games at the start of the season in the WBBL and Beth Mooney was one of the first people to reach out and message, and just offered her support. She is such a kind human who is willing to help out.”

Showing how strong the Gippsland connection is, Faltum said Bairnsdale’s Sophie Molineux – her teammate at the Melbourne Renegades – was her favourite bowler to keep to.

Australia will need a new keeper for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup starting in June.

Locals will be hoping to see Faltum on the plane to the UK.

Fellow local export Peter Siddle has played two BBL games for the Stars since the last issue.

The Morwell quick took 1/3 against the Strikers at the MCG on Tuesday, January 13, and 1/31 against the Scorchers in Perth last Saturday (January 17).

The Stars destroyed the Strikers, bowling them out for 83, but lost to the league-leading Scorchers in a battle for top spot.

Siddle hit a six batting at 11 against the Scorchers.