🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

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

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "drove 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 championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.