🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed 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 largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," 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 guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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