🔗 Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's tough for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity. Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance. Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short. The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion. Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as 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 not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy. "However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition." Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion. "An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed." These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure. During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain. Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader. Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.