🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

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

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member 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 from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship 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 fail again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - 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.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

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 hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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