🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived 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 semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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