🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India It's tough for Australia to break new ground. The highest peaks have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece. Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short. If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was far harder to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match." Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way. "The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes. When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear. In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed. It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament. So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain. But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.