🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have long been mastered. This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all. Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility. In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece. Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again. The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion. "The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed." Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear. During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain. Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.