🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Defeat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance. Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her newest gem. Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier. At the following one-day championship 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 fail again. The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable. Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy. "But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion. "A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. When she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed." That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event. So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury. But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.