🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts 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 reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

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