🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

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

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI 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.