🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's difficult 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, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all. Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity. In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance. Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats. The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently. 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 guaranteed her country would not fall short again. Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable. Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion. "The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed." That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear. In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth 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 - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury. However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain. Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.