π Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground. The highest peaks have long been mastered. This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance. Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short. If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy. "But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion. "The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy. "Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed." That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain. However although she later admitted those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain. Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.