π Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming 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 is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity. Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex 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 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short. Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated. Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway. "The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. When she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it." That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear. Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury. However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader. Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.