Alyssa Healy spills her 'beer secret' after battling full-body cramps during record-breaking 142 vs India

Alyssa Healy’s blistering 142 powered Australia to the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history, as they hunted down 331 runs to defeat India by three wickets.The Australian captain, speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, shared how her “grumpiness” drove her to the superb knock, how she battled through full-body cramps, and how a couple of beers helped her regain full fitness.

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“I think to chase down the highest one-day total in the women’s game — in a World Cup, in a big moment — was a nice place to be. It was a big game for both sides, so to know we could pull ourselves over the line was pretty cool,” Healy said.Talking about the conditions in Visakhapatnam, she added: “It’s a little hot and humid over here, as it traditionally is in India. Not a lot of breeze off the ocean, sadly, so it was tough work. At one point, I had a full-body cramp once I finally got out.“I was in the change room and didn’t know what to do — whether to lie down or just sit there. But thankfully, I feel okay now. Funnily enough, the forearm cramp came again — thankfully only in my bottom hand, so I could still manage with the top hand. Maybe it even helped my cricket!”“After I got back to the change room, the air conditioner was on, and once I stopped moving, my body decided to completely shut down. But that was fine — we got the important part done, which is what matters.”

Healy humorously described the scene that followed: “It wasn’t just me there. Megan Schutt was around, and our manager was sitting nearby, working on her laptop. Suddenly, I was like, uh-oh — everything started to seize up. She asked if I was okay or if I needed help, and I said, ‘No, I’m fine.’ But then the cramp took over my whole body, and I curled up in a ball.“Next minute, the physio came running in. I had no idea how she knew! Turns out, the manager had texted her for help.

But it was all fine in the end.”Podcast host Adam Peacock took a sly dig at Healy’s unique recovery method, referencing Mel Jones’ post-match question about ice baths and pickle juice.“There may have been a couple of beers on ice when we got back,” Healy laughed. “So I thought that was the perfect recovery tool.”