The NSW Breakers thrashed Victoria by 10 wickets to book a spot in their 20th consecutive Women's National Cricket League, but it was a brilliant rebound catch taken off wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy's head at short cover that was the main talking point after the match.
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With Australian captain Meg Lanning at the crease for the Spirit, they would have thought they were every chance of posting an imposing total for the Breakers to chase.
NSW bowler Sarah Aley triggered a mini-collapse which started in the most unusual circumstances thanks to Alyssa Healy's hard head.
Lanning rocked back and tried to pull Aley over mid-wicket before getting a top edge that cracked Healy, who was not wearing a helmet, on the forehead.
Healy turned away in pain but to her surprise short cover fielder Lauren Smith had run around to her left and held onto a spectacular diving rebound catch.
Captain Alex Blackwell took the gloves for the rest of the innings in place of Healy who left the field to have her head looked at by medical staff.
WICKET! In pretty bizarre circumstances, Lanning edges one which hits Healy and bounces up with Smith taking he catch. VIC 2-65 #WNCL— Lendlease Breakers (@CricNSWBreakers)
November 22, 2015
Update on Alyssa Healy.. She's up and about icing a cricket ball sized egg on her forehead. #WNCL— Lendlease Breakers (@CricNSWBreakers)
November 22, 2015
Healy showed how tough she really was though, deciding to open the batting and belting an unbeaten 65 not out as the Breakers chased down the total with ten wickets to spare.
The Southern Stars wicketkeeper took to social media to let everyone know there was no serious damage as a result of the knock.
"Thanks for the concern everyone but I'm all good!!" Healy tweeted on Sunday evening.
Aley finished with match figures of 3-21 and said she was surprised that Healy was able to come back and compile a crafty, match-winning innings.
"Everyone was obviously really concerned for Midge [Healy] because she did come up with quite a big egg on her head straight away, but Alex did a really good job and filled her boots quite well," Aley said. "It clearly didn't affect her too much; she's obviously got a very thick skull. Both of them did a really good job. It's set us in good stead for next week [in the final against South Australia at Hurstville Oval].
Healy's effort brought back memories of this catch off the bowler's head in a club match in South Australia.
