đź”— Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground. The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets 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 worn canary yellow over five decades. It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility. Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece. Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since. Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again. If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated. Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy. "However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the contest." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion. "A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits. When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy. "Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it." That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear. Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury. Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper. Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.