🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.