🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former 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 seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

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

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.