🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Defeat India It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground. The highest peaks have already been conquered. We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, 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, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance. Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win 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 came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success. That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway. "The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed." These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear. Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort. But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.