đź”— Share this article The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats. The top summits have been successfully scaled. We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all. Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades. It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility. Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem. Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since. A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats. The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak. That loss "drove 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 awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again. The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable. Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000. What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict. The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy. "But once you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition." Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway. "A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes. By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll. "Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further. "Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it." These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear. During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment. Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed. During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament. So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain. However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader. Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.