🔗 Share this article

It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything 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 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

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

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

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

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

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