🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's tough for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have already been conquered. This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades. It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility. In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again. If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated. Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings 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's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy. "However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way. "The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums. By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear. In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting 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 in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort. But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.