🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

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

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.