🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

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

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

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