🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

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

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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