🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

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

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.