🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

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

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

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

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

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

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the competition."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

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 place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.