🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

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

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture 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 debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

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