🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

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

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

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

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.