🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

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

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test 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 came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.