🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's difficult for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades. It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece. Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short. The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy. "But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was challenged 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 this time it merely gave Healy's motivation. A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion. "An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits. Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it." Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear. During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain. But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper. Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.