🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

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

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

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

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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