🔗 Share this article

It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

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

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.