🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit 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 rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

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

When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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