🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Beat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The highest peaks have already been conquered. We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years. It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity. Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem. Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since. Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again. Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable. Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games 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's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation. A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway. "An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it." Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear. During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed. It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury. However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.