π Share this article Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge. Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats. The highest peaks have been successfully scaled. This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket. The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is. Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years. It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity. In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem. Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since. A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats. The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run. That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently. At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again. If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable. Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000. What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming. The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30. "If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy. "However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest." Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning. She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark. One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway. "A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy. She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums. When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish. "To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy. "Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it." These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear. Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point. Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure. It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition. So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort. Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain. Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.