🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated 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 title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

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

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

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

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

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

In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.