🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

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

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star 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 motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.