🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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