🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining 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's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since. A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," 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 guaranteed her country would not come up short. If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy. "Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion. "A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. By the time she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it." That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear. Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event. Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain. Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.