🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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