🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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