Alyssa Healy, Pat Cummins send wishes for Matildas ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final

Australian cricket stars have rallied behind the Matildas, the country's national women's football team, as they strive for victory in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Matildas' historic journey in the tournament has captured the hearts of millions, surpassing traditional boundaries and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among athletes.

The Matildas' triumph over France resonated deeply with Australians, drawing a record-breaking television audience. The match achieved a viewership of over 7 million people, roughly a quarter of the population, on Australia's Channel 7. This remarkable feat marked the highest-rated sports program in a decade. Notably, the online broadcast of the match became Australia's most-streamed show in history.

James Johnson, the CEO of Football Australia, expressed his delight at the unprecedented response from the Australian public. He attributed the success not only to the record crowds and television figures but also to the genuine affection with which the nation embraced the Matildas.

Remarkably, support for the Matildas extended beyond the football community. Australian cricket stars Alyssa Healy and Pat Cummins, captains of the women's and men's national cricket teams respectively, issued heartfelt messages of encouragement. Healy acknowledged the monumental achievement of the Matildas and wished them luck for the upcoming semi-final against the Lionesses.

"Tony, Sam, and the rest of the Matildas girls, Just on behalf of the whole cricketing community, we wanted to wish you all the very best tomorrow night with your semi-final against the Lionesses. Obviously, both of us have just come back from the UK after a big Ashes series and we know what the Australia-England rivalry means," she said in a video posted by Cricket Australia on Twitter.

The Tillies were the talk of the town at yesterday's @HCLTech partnership launch!

Tonight is gonna be huge, LETS GOOOOO @TheMatildas 🇦🇺#FIFAWWC #TilitsDone | @patcummins30 @ahealy77 pic.twitter.com/6KeWiCibrn

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 16, 2023

Pat Cummins, echoing Healy's sentiments, rallied behind the Matildas and called on them to continue making the country proud. Their messages of support resonated deeply with fans, showcasing the remarkable bond.

The unity between different sports and the broader Australian community underscores the significance of the Matildas' achievements. The cricket stars' statements highlighted the common thread of national pride and the importance of representing Australia on the global stage.