🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required 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 women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior 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 international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured 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. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing 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 emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.