🔗 Share this article Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century. It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance. Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance. Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success. That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again. If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion. Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy. "However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the competition." Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration. One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway. "An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy. She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits. When she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy. "Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it." That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear. In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed. It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain. Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.