🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win 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 followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors 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 exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.