🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

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 the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock 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 practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.