🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have already been conquered. This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all. Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years. It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance. In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem. Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful 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 determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short. The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable. Some will argue the reasoning behind 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 is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - 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 every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway. "A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear. Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event. So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury. However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain. Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.