🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

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

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen 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.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

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

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

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat 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 a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

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