🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining 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 the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

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

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

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

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

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

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.