🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity. Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since. Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway. "A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits. Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it." That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear. In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament. So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain. But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain. Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.