🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements 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 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.