🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, 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 - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.