π Share this article The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Beat India It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records. The top summits have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years. It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity. Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem. Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous 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 experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak. That loss "motivated 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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again. Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as 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 been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion. "An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it." Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear. Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament. So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury. Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.