The recent retirement of Alyssa Healy has created a significant challenge for Australia’s T20 cricket team, and an intriguing solution may lie with a former South African wicketkeeper who is currently excelling in domestic cricket.
Lizelle Lee, who has an impressive record of 184 matches played for the Proteas across all formats, has emerged as one of the standout players in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) since making her move to Tasmania after stepping away from international cricket for South Africa in 2022.
Following her instrumental role in helping the Tigers secure three consecutive Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) titles, the 33-year-old showcased her talent by scoring an outstanding unbeaten 77 runs off just 44 balls during this season's WBBL final against the Perth Scorchers in Hobart, earning herself the title of player of the match as the Hurricanes clinched their first championship.
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Lee is known for her relentless boundary-hitting capabilities and has played as a wicketkeeper in 110 T20 matches, making her a strong candidate to step into Healy’s shoes if the need arises. Hurricanes captain Elyse Villani expressed high praise for Lee, stating, "She’s just phenomenal. Watching her dominate bowling attacks and execute her shots is truly impressive; she is the cleanest hitter I’ve ever seen. While she has always possessed power and excellent hand-eye coordination, she seems to be making smarter decisions lately, allowing her to showcase her skills even more effectively and really take control over the games."
Currently, Lee is enjoying a remarkable start to her debut season in the Women’s Premier League, having scored two fifties for the Delhi Capitals, including an explosive 86 runs from 54 balls against the Gujarat Giants in Mumbai. She has quickly risen to become the second-highest run-scorer in the league, trailing only behind Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Over the last three summers, Lee has amassed a staggering 1,113 runs in the WBBL at a strike rate of 151.84. Only two Australian greats, Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, have surpassed her in total runs during this time frame.
In November 2024, she achieved a monumental feat when she scored an unbeaten 150 runs off just 75 balls against the Scorchers at the SCG, setting a WBBL record and becoming the first player to score back-to-back centuries within the T20 format. Earlier this season, the bespectacled opener nearly broke the record for the highest individual score in WNCL, scoring 187 runs off 141 balls against Victoria in Melbourne. Reflecting on her recent performances, Lee remarked in November, "The last few months have been some of the best I’ve had. I hope to keep this momentum going."
Having made Hobart her permanent home with her wife Tanja in 2022, Lee obtained her Australian permanent residency last year, which qualifies her to play for Tasmania as a local athlete. However, when asked about the possibility of receiving a call-up to the Australian national team, she humbly pointed out that younger talents like Tahlia Wilson from New South Wales and Nicole Faltum from Victoria deserve greater consideration. "I don’t think it’s something the selectors would consider," Lee stated. "At 33 years old, there’s an abundance of young talent emerging in this country. It wouldn’t make much sense to look at someone like me when we have so many promising players on the rise."
Beth Mooney is widely regarded as the frontrunner to take over the wicketkeeping duties following Healy’s retirement, having already filled that role in the national setup across various formats. Additionally, young opener Georgia Voll is anticipated to take on the opening batting position in Australia’s forthcoming T20 series against India. With only six T20 matches scheduled before the T20 World Cup kicks off in the United Kingdom in June, the formidable Australian team is eager to reclaim the title they lost in 2024.
In a unique twist, Lee harbors aspirations of attending the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but not as a player. Instead, she aims to become a top international umpire, having already officiated games in Tasmanian Premier Cricket and the Female Under-19 National Championships. "I don’t want to abandon my cricket career because I still feel I have a lot to offer, but I would love to pursue a career as a leading international umpire," Lee expressed. "Who wouldn’t want to go to the Olympics, no matter the role? I’m also hopeful about the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and if I’m done playing by then, I’d love to be involved in some capacity."
Looking ahead, the Capitals are set to face off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru this Saturday, which promises to be another exciting match.
