🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

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

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn 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 wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.