🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

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

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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