🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

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

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the previous 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 inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.