🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came 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 last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while 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 was a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over 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.