🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have already been conquered. We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem. Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again. Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable. Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion. "An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it." These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear. During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed. It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort. However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.