🔗 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 The Aussies Beat India It's tough for Australia to break new ground. The greatest achievements have long been mastered. We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity. Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem. Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats. The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run. That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week. At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again. The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated. Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, 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 was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy. "But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation. A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way. "An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums. Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion. "Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further. "Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it." That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed. It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury. Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.