🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex 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.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

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

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.