🔗 Share this article Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground. The top summits have already been conquered. This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades. It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem. Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since. A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again. If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable. Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion. "A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes. When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed." That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting 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 left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event. So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back 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 world championship as captain. Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.