đź”— Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Beat India It's difficult for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all. Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades. It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility. Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance. Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since. Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats. The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy. "Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion. "An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits. When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it." Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear. Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed. It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament. So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort. But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper. Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.