🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as 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.

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality 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 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman 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," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.