🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have already been conquered. This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance. Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance. Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win 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 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships 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 momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again. Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy. "However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway. "A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. When she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish. "Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed." That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear. Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure. During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition. Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort. But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper. Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.