Mitchell Johnson: Instinct trumps planning in Alyssa Healy's epic World Cup century

Alyssa Healy’s epic World Cup century set up a famous victory but it was what she said after the win that really hit home: “You can’t plan for everything.”

Australia’s women’s cricket team rewrote the record books with their highest-ever successful run chase in a one-day international, hunting down India’s 330 with confidence, control, and class in their tournament group match in Visakhapatnam this week.

But it’s the Aussie skipper’s line really stuck with me. It’s simple, but it’s the essence of what makes this team so strong.

You can have all the data, all the prep, and every match-up covered — but cricket doesn’t always let you stick to a plan. It throws moments at you where instinct, trust, and experience have to take over. And that’s exactly what this Australian side does so well.

They strip the game back to what it really is: reading the conditions, adapting on the fly, and backing each other to do their roles. And yes, of course, they do the work behind the scenes, the prep, match-ups and data, which is why they can win in these moments.

This was new territory, Healy admitted.

Chasing 331 in a World Cup match isn’t something this team has done before. Even for a side with such an extraordinary record across formats — multiple world titles, series wins, dominance for years — there are still new challenges that test your skill and your mindset.

In those moments, the Australian approach shines through. They didn’t panic. They didn’t try to win it in the first 10 overs, although Healy ‘s strike rate (142 off 107 balls) might say otherwise. They played what was in front of them, ball after ball, just like Healy said. From a player’s point of view, that’s the hardest thing to do under pressure — to quiet the noise, trust your process, and keep building.

Healy and Phoebe Litchfield set the tone beautifully up top. That opening stand gave the chase the rhythm it needed. But it wasn’t just about those two. Every batter who came in — Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Beth Mooney — played their role in the gears of the chase. That’s what I love about team sport, especially cricket. You can’t do it alone.

You need your partner at the other end to understand the situation — when to rotate strike, when to attack, and when to absorb pressure.

Healy’s innings will get the headlines, and rightly so. It was controlled aggression at its best. But what makes this side different is the trust they have in each other. When the wicket falls, the next player knows exactly what’s needed — whether that’s steadying the innings or keeping the rate ticking over. There’s a calmness to how they go about their business, even in moments when things could unravel.

That’s the sign of a team that’s not just talented but mentally strong. You can feel that belief flowing through them. After a record-breaking performance like this, confidence naturally builds — not just in their ability to win, but in knowing how to win in tough situations. That knowledge is gold in tournament play.

Still, they won’t get carried away. That’s another thing about this group — they’re self-aware.

They know that World Cups aren’t won in one chase or one record. You take the lessons, reflect on the game, and move on to the next one. It’s the cliche every player knows, but the great teams are the ones who actually live it.

Australia now have the belief that they can chase down anything, and that makes them even more intimidating. They’ve already got the squad depth, the experience, and the mindset.

Add the confidence of pulling off something like this, and you’ve got a team that’s not just aiming for another trophy — they’re redefining what’s possible in the women’s game.

Simple. Effective. Adaptable. And have fun doing it. That’s why this Australian women’s team continues to set the standard.