🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• 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 & Wicket-Takers

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock 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 pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.