🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance 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 practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.