🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's tough for Australia to set fresh records. The highest peaks have long been mastered. We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades. It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance. In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable. Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way. "A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed." These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear. Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed. It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain. But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader. Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.