🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

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

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win 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 came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

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

What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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