🔗 Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's difficult for Australia to break new ground. The top summits have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity. In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem. Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion. Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the contest." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion. "The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. By the time she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it." These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear. In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed. It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event. So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.