🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have already been conquered. This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all. Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards 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, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century. It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity. Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since. A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short. If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way. "A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy. She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further. "Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it." That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear. Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain. However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.