🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches 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 has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.