MUMBAI — In a staggering display of power-hitting and sheer will, Alyssa Healy authored one of the greatest innings in Women's ODI history, blasting a majestic 170 to pilot Australia to a record-breaking chase of 321 against India. The victory at the Wankhede Stadium was more than just a consolation prize in the final ODI of a series already lost; it was a thunderous statement of intent, a warning shot to all challengers just months before the Women's World Cup.
Healy, standing in as captain for the injured Meg Lanning, played an innings of sublime quality and breathtaking audacity. She dismantled a world-class Indian bowling attack with 23 fours and 7 sixes, her 138-ball knock not only securing a monumental win but also leaving her with one significant, unclaimed peak to conquer: lifting a World Cup trophy as the official captain of her country.
A Record-Breaking Masterclass
The scale of Australia's chase cannot be overstated. Chasing 321 to win, they overhauled the target with 21 balls to spare, registering the highest successful run-chase in the history of women's ODI cricket. The previous record of 289, held by Australia themselves since 2012, was obliterated in a blaze of boundaries. Healy was the undisputed architect, but she found a formidable partner in Beth Mooney (52), with whom she shared a 121-run stand that broke the back of the chase.
Healy's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. She started cautiously, respecting the new ball, but once set, her strokeplay was devastating. She targeted every corner of the ground, with her lofted drives down the ground and powerful pulls through mid-wicket being particularly destructive. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur rotated her bowlers fruitlessly, as Healy treated both spinners and pacers with equal disdain.
Reflecting on the innings, a jubilant Healy told reporters, "It's nice to contribute to a win like that. To be able to chase down that total, the highest ever, is pretty special. I just wanted to be there at the end and finish the job, and thankfully I was able to do that."
The Final Frontier: World Cup Captaincy
With this innings, Healy has emphatically staked her claim to the full-time captaincy role. While she has long been the heir apparent, her leadership credentials are now complemented by a performance of legendary proportions. Her career is already glittering with every major team accolade, but the one box that remains unticked is leading Australia to a World Cup title. She has won the T20 World Cup twice (2018, 2020) and the 50-over World Cup twice (2013, 2022), but always as a vice-captain or key player.
The upcoming Women's World Cup, scheduled for later this year, presents the perfect stage. With Meg Lanning's international future a topic of ongoing discussion, Healy’s seamless transition into the leadership role, combined with her blistering form, makes her the natural choice to guide the world's best team in their title defense. This knock was a powerful audition, demonstrating she can carry the dual burden of captaincy and premier batter.
Cricket commentator and former player Lisa Sthalekar noted, "This was a statement innings from Alyssa Healy. It wasn't just about the runs; it was about the timing, the pressure, the leadership. She has shown she can handle the weight of expectation that comes with leading this Australian side."
Building a World-Beating Unit
While Healy's heroics rightfully dominated headlines, the victory also underscored the formidable depth and resilience of the Australian squad. Despite losing the series 2-1, their ability to fight back and achieve the impossible in the final match speaks volumes about their team culture. Key takeaways from the series and this record chase include:
- Batting Firepower: The top order, featuring Healy, Phoebe Litchfield, and Ellyse Perry, is in devastating form, capable of setting and chasing mammoth totals.
- Middle-Order Steel: The emergence of players like Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney provides stability and firepower through the middle overs.
- Bowling Resources: While the bowlers were tested in Indian conditions, the return of key players like Darcie Brown and Megan Schutt for the World Cup will bolster the attack significantly.
The record chase was a collaborative effort built on Healy's foundation. After Mooney's departure, Tahlia McGrath (20*) provided calm support, allowing Healy to continue her assault and see the team across the line. This all-round team performance, even in a dead rubber, is what makes Australia the team to beat on the global stage.
The Road to the World Cup
The message from Mumbai was clear: the Australian women's team is evolving, not declining. The loss of the series was a valuable lesson, but the response in the final game was characteristic of champions. Alyssa Healy, now with 7 ODI centuries, has proven that her game can scale new heights even with the added responsibility of leadership. The one mountain left to climb is now clearly in view.
As the team regroups and plans for the World Cup, the focus will be on solidifying roles and managing workloads. But one question seems to have been answered. Healy, reflecting on the future, said, "We'll enjoy this win, take the confidence from it, and look ahead to the next challenge. There's always something to play for."
That next challenge is the ultimate one: a global tournament where she will aim to not just contribute with the bat, but to lift the trophy as captain, completing a remarkable career and cementing her legacy as one of the true greats of the women's game. The climb is not over, but after Mumbai, the path forward has never looked clearer.