🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The top summits have already been conquered. This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity. Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem. Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short. The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable. Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," said Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match." Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was on her way. "A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums. When she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it." These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear. Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure. During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.