Michael Jordan shocked the world with his fight against the flu in the NBA Finals, and now Alyssa Healey has followed suit, beating the illness to get Australia off to the perfect start in their multi-format series against South Africa.
The Australian captain was a doubt for the opening T20 International in Canberra but showed no signs of the kinks hampering her preparations, smashing 46 off 28 as the hosts chased down South Africa 6-147 with five balls to spare.
Healy and Beth Mooney shared a 72-run partnership in the opening stand, with the skipper smashing six fours and two sixes after earlier taking a brilliant catch down the leg side which she checked to give Georgia Wareham her 50th T20 international wicket.
Mooney finished unbeaten with 72 as the Aussies continued their unbeaten run against South Africa with eight wickets in hand which was the perfect way to start their preparations for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.
Amazing blessing
Grace Harris has done some silly things on the cricket field, but her elitist honesty ended up costing her what could have been the catch of 2024 so far.
Known for clubbing bowlers over the rope, it was only her left foot that kept her from demanding a screamer when she leapt high and pulled off a stunning one-handed catch, just to overbalance her slightly and scratch the boundary.
She immediately told the judges it wasn't out but replays showed no conclusive contact with the rope, with Tazmin Brits making the most of her reprieve at seven to finish unbeaten on 59.
Long way to go
They may have achieved their highest T20 score against Australia, but South Africa still has a long way to go if they want to match the best team in the world.
A year after losing to Australia in the World Cup final on home soil, the tourists have shown some promising signs with the bat, starting six members of the top seven, but they need more than that.
They did not pose a real threat with the ball and had work to do on the pitch after Ayabonga Khaka dropped a loose shot when Mooney was on 42, which proved costly as the veteran smashed her opener with a six to seal the win in the final.
They have plenty of chances to bounce back with the second of three T20s on Sunday before the series moves to a 50-over format and then a one-off Test in Perth.
Originally published as 'Flu game': Healy beats illness, shines with bat as Australia beat South Africa to start multi-format series
