🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts 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 "drove 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 final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI 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.