🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

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

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting 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 semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

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