🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship 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 fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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