🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial 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 last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's 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 after that Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.