🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The top summits have been successfully scaled. This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance. In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece. Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships 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 momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short. If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation. One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed." These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear. During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. During that phase they left last 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 guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain. Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.