🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty 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 anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

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