🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

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

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came 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 setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

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

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, 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 an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.