🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

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

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.