🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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 final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.