🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Defeat India It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance. In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem. Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again. Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated. Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy. "However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way. "A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes. When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it." Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage. Next Australia play 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. During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition. So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury. However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain. Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.