🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

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

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.