🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

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

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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