Businesswoman talked Healy into captaincy

Alyssa Healy has admitted she had reservations over taking on the Australia captaincy, before being talked into accepting the role by a high-profile business executive.

Healy was on Tuesday confirmed as Australia's stand-in captain for the Twenty20 tour of India, with Meg Lanning on personal leave.

There remains every chance Healy will keep the role, with Lanning's future unclear and the potential she could relinquish the captaincy and feature as a player only if she returns.

Tahlia McGrath will serve as Healy's deputy as part of a new-look national structure as Shelley Nitschke approaches her first tour since being appointed full-time coach.

Considered by almost everyone as the favourite to take on the leadership after vice-captain Rachael Haynes' retirement and during Lanning's break, Healy was never so sure herself.

"I actually wasn't sure if I was the right person to do it, or if they were looking to the future," Healy said. 

"I consulted with a few people outside of the game who suggested I was and maybe it was the right time for me to take an opportunity. 

"(Businesswoman) Christine McLoughlin in particular rang me and asked why I wasn't putting my hand up for selection or coming out and telling everyone I wanted to do it. 

"To speak to someone like that, who has been so successful in a corporate sector, and have them in my corner, it was like: 'Why not? Let's do it'."

The 32-year-old said the role could change her own plans, having wrestled with her eventual retirement timeline.

Healy insists not much will change with her as captain, admitting to uncertainty over whether she could soon return to the deputy role if Lanning returns.

"It's an interesting one. It's in a little bit of limbo at the moment and we'll have to see what Meg's going to do," Healy said. 

"We've got two new leaders in the side, so naturally you're going to put your own mark on that.

"I really just think it's about keeping the same sort of values that have been created over the last few years and add a touch of our own flair."

Meanwhile Healy suggested she expected Lanning could return to the team after being on personal leave since September.

The superstar batter is currently overseas, but has spoken to Healy on her appointment to the captaincy.

Australia have white-ball games against Pakistan at home in January, before February's T20 World Cup in South Africa.

"I was fortunate enough to be able to break the news to her myself," Healy said. 

"She was really chuffed. I have been chatting to her, she is going really well and is looking forward to coming back at some point. 

"That's really pleasing for us as a team that hopefully she will be back around the group."