🔗 Share this article Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's difficult for Australia to break new ground. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity. Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem. Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently. 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 ensured her country would not fail again. If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated. Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was far harder to anticipate. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy. "However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way. "An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes. By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it." These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain. Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain. Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.