🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

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

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

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles 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 successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target 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.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

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

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.