🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

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

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.