🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting 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 couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face 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.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.