In Test cricket, a century often transforms a match and becomes a defining moment in a player’s career. Yet there is another side to the story, when an innings stops agonizingly at 99. Few know that feeling better than Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc, Australia’s well-known cricketing couple who have both seen Test hundreds slip away by the narrowest of margins.
During Australia Women’s Test against South Africa Women in 2024, Alyssa Healy produced a remarkable innings as anticipation built around a possible three-figure milestone. However, just when the moment seemed within reach, the Australian captain fell for 99, leaving the crowd stunned.
The disappointment carried an unusual parallel. More than a decade earlier, Mitchell Starc had experienced the same fate against India. As Healy approaches the final Test of her career, that moment remains one of the most painful near-misses in her record.
Perth Watches As Healy Walks Back on a 99
Australian cricket has long been known for producing outstanding talent across both the men’s and women’s games. The country’s women’s team has sustained that legacy of dominance, with several players becoming key figures in international cricket. Among them, Alyssa Healy has been one of the most influential.
The wicketkeeper-batter has played many memorable innings during her career, but the dismissal on 99 stands out as one of the most frustrating moments of her Test journey. In 2024, when Australia Women faced South Africa Women at the WACA Ground, the contest produced a dramatic twist.
Australia had earlier taken control by bowling out the opposition for 76. However, the match took a different turn once the hosts began their reply. With Australia reduced to 12/3, Healy came to the crease.
She rebuilt the innings alongside Beth Mooney, forming a crucial partnership and reaching her half-century from 59 balls. As the innings progressed, Healy continued to attack the South African bowlers and steadily moved into the nineties.
The Perth crowd waited for what would have been her maiden Test century. Instead, the milestone slipped away in the 55th over when Delmi Tucker struck. On the third ball of the over, Tucker dismissed the Australian captain with a caught-and-bowled, ending the innings at 99 from 124 deliveries.
Starc’s Near-Century Against India
The heartbreak carried a striking resemblance to a moment from Mitchell Starc’s own career. The Australian fast bowler had endured a similar dismissal years earlier during a Test against India.
In the third Test of a four-match series, Starc played a remarkable innings with the bat despite early trouble for Australia. Known primarily for his pace bowling, he troubled the Indian attack with confident stroke play.
Starc reached a half-century from 86 balls and continued to build what appeared to be a historic innings. Already a bowler with a Test century to his name, he moved closer to another milestone before the innings came to a sudden end.
In the 139th over, Ishant Sharma dismissed Starc, leaving him stranded on 99.
The Legacy Of Alyssa Healy
From 2013 to 2024, Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc have shared many significant moments in their cricketing careers, yet the identical dismissal on 99 remains a rare and painful coincidence in their journeys.
Healy’s career with Australia Women has been filled with achievements and memorable performances. As the women’s team continued the nation’s tradition of cricketing success, she played a key role in several historic victories.
Now, as Healy prepares to face India Women in what will be her final match, Australian cricket approaches the end of an important chapter. In the Test format, she scored 489 runs in 10 matches, including three half-centuries, at an average of 30.56.
Beyond her contributions with the bat, she also captained Australia during a historic Women’s Ashes triumph. Despite early challenges in her international journey, Healy developed into one of the most formidable batters in the women’s game.
As Australia prepares to bid farewell to one of its most recognizable players, emotions remain high among supporters. Even as Alyssa Healy concludes a distinguished career, Australian fans will continue to celebrate their own “Midge.”
