🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.