🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

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

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.