🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's tough for Australia to break new ground. The top summits have long been mastered. This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity. Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again. If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion. Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's clear is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy. "But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match." Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway. "A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes. When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can do it." These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury. But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.