Healy’s perfect response to ‘world’s best’ debate

Asked on Nine’s Today if the Australian team was the greatest sporting team of all time, a humble Healy left the verdict for the fans to settle on.

However, she did confess that the red-hot team was “most definitely the best” she has ever belonged to.

“I think what we have managed to achieve – this is the second three-peat we have achieved in this format which is pretty remarkable when you think about how fickle the T20 game can be,” she said.

“It’s an unbelievable group. I’m grateful every day that I get to pull on the Australian shirt and run around with these girls because they are amazing people.

“To get the job done over here was amazing.”

Facing host nation South Africa, the local, 15,000-strong crowd was against the Australians.

“The kind-of 12th man for South Africa was the crowd, they rode every single ball, even down to the last one when they needed 20-odd,” Healey said.

”I think that is one of the best parts of our game at the moment, and in particular our team, we get to be a part of these incredible moments and I think today what was achieved in Cape Town by this South African team was incredible.

“They filled Newlands (Cricket Ground) which was pretty cool, and for us to be a part of it and get the win was extra special.

“Hopefully it means great things for women’s cricket in this country moving forward.”

Healy also hoped the win would inspire young Australians to play cricket for their country and chase the same winning experiences.

“I hope it inspired them to want to do it and want to be a part of the great game that is cricket,” she said.

“There were significant barriers when I first started and that wasn’t that long ago but there are so many opportunities for young girls now to be a part of this great game.”

Wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney was named player of the match with an unbeaten knock of 74, while allrounder Ashleigh Gardner was crowned player of the tournament after scoring 110 runs and taking 10 wickets.

Speaking post-match, Gardner echoed Healey’s comments, acknowledging the team’s efforts to battle through every match.

“We’ve been longing for this moment since the last World Cup,” the all-rounder said post-match.

“We’ve played some fantastic cricket throughout this tournament. We probably weren’t in winning positions throughout the game, but we scrapped and we fought and we bowled the absolute house down.

“I’m just super proud of this group.”

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