🔗 Share this article The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have long been mastered. We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance. In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance. Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since. A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed 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 successful run. That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again. If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated. Some will argue 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's clear is this century was much more difficult to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30. "If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest." Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way. "A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it." These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear. Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure. It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition. So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort. However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.