Mooney to Take Gloves as Healy Leads Australia in Farewell Series Against India

Beth Mooney will step into the role of Australia’s full-time wicketkeeper, with long-serving skipper Alyssa Healy set to move into the field for her farewell series against India.

Australia trail 4-2 on points in the ongoing multi-format series after losing the T20 leg, but Healy will return to captain the side for Tuesday’s opening one-day international at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. The match marks the beginning of a fortnight-long farewell tour for the 35-year-old, with two additional ODIs scheduled in Hobart before a final Test at the WACA Ground next month.

Healy has been Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper since 2014, amassing a world-record 275 dismissals across all formats. However, she has not kept wicket since the conclusion of the Women's Big Bash League season, instead playing solely as a fielder for New South Wales Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League. Despite relinquishing the gloves, Healy is expected to continue opening the batting during the ODI series.

Mooney’s elevation to the permanent wicketkeeping role had long been anticipated, but the transition has been fast-tracked for the home summer. The decision aims to provide continuity after Mooney kept during the T20 matches against India. There is also a growing belief within the camp that her glovework has improved significantly over the past year, earning her the position on merit.

The left-hander has previously filled in as wicketkeeper on 28 occasions for Australia, largely during periods when Healy was unavailable. Speaking ahead of the series, Mooney acknowledged the challenges of serving as a utility player.

“It’s been pretty tough, to be honest. I think I’ve been a bit of a gap filler at times,” she said. “I probably get shipped around the field in different positions, which was tough to train for. Then having to balance that with my keeping made it difficult.

“I enjoyed being able to offer that versatility to the captain and coach. But it’ll be nice to go to training knowing I’m just going to keep and bat.”

Mooney believes increased exposure at international level has sharpened her skills behind the stumps.

“Because I’ve had more opportunities through injury with Alyssa, it’s made me more confident,” she said. “My movement is a lot better, more crisp and not as laboured. Keeping to these bowlers more consistently has helped. It’s hard to come into a team and have never kept to someone like Ash Gardner.”

Following the India series, Australia are set for a multi-format tour of the West Indies next month before turning their focus to the T20 World Cup in England in June — a new era with Mooney behind the stumps and Healy’s decorated career drawing to a close.