🔗 Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records. The top summits have already been conquered. This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years. It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance. Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem. Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win 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 came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again. Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated. Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs. "If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy. "But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark. A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way. "A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy. She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums. When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it." That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear. During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following 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 a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed. It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous 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 led her country for the first time at an important competition. Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper. Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.