🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

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

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

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining 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 batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity 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 country 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.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

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