🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled. This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her newest gem. Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short. Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable. Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy. "Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "A chance 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 reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes. By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear. During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury. However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.