🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

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

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

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

Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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