🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.