🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side 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, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance. In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem. Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week. 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 ensured her country would not fall short again. If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable. Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy. "However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. When she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed." Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain. But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.