🔗 Share this article

It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

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

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

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