🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup 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 can be debated.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction 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 been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.