🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

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

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

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

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.