🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

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

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction 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 not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."

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

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.