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 Defeat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The top summits have already been conquered. This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance. In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance. Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again. Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy. "However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition." Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion. "The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy. She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums. When she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can do it." Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear. In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure. During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event. So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury. However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper. Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.