🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's success 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, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

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

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

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.