🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader 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 spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

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

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.