🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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

The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country 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 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup 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.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.