🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Defeat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground. The greatest achievements have already been conquered. This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance. Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem. Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success. That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again. If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable. Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was far harder to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy. "But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration. A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway. "A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits. By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it." Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear. Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain. But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.