🔗 Share this article Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have already been conquered. This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance. Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece. Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short. If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated. Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway. "The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes. Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it." That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear. In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. 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. It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader. Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.