🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have already been conquered. This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity. In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over 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. If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy. "But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion. "The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it." These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear. During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed. It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition. So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain. However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper. Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.