🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

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

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

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

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

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