🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

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

It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following 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 ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

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