🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce 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 from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

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

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 awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

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

What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings 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 training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - 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, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.