π Share this article The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats. The top summits have already been conquered. This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket. The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything. Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity. Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance. Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia 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 happened 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 last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak. That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week. 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. If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion. Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000. What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to predict. The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," stated Healy. "But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition." Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation. A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway. "The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy. She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes. By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll. "To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy. "Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it." That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear. In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed. It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition. So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain. However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper. Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.