🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, 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 observed me in training, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

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

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.