🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Beat India It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades. It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility. Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem. Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since. Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again. Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated. Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30. "For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion. "The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums. When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it." That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition. Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort. However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.