🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated 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 title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do 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."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.