🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

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

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet 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 were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

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

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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