🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.