đź”— Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground. The top summits have long been mastered. This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity. In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece. Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again. Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated. Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way. "A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits. By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear. During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition. Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort. However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.