🔗 Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have long been mastered. We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards 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, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades. It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity. Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia 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 first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable. Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this century was far harder to predict. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark. A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway. "A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed." That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear. In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort. However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper. Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.