🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's tough for Australia to set fresh records. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance. Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since. Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again. If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy. "However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way. "A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes. Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it." Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear. During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after 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 ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament. So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort. But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.