๐ Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The top summits have been successfully scaled. This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance. Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece. Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts 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 "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Many contend the case for 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 anticipate. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy. "However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes. Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can achieve it." Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear. In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort. But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader. Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.