🔗 Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity. In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance. Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since. A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short. Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable. Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's definite is this century was far harder to predict. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30. "For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits. When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed." These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear. Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort. Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader. Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.