🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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

It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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 ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.