🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have long been mastered. We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years. It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility. In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem. Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short. Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable. Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy. "However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion. "A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. When she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear. During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they exited last 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 first time at a significant event. So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain. But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.