🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known 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 held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.

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

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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