🔗 Share this article Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Beat India It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records. The top summits have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance. Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece. Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success. That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship 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 fall short again. If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches 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 challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion. "The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it." These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear. In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged 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 wished she had played with the discomfort. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.