🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

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

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

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

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings 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 training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

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

That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.