🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

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

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

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

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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 afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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