🔗 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 team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as 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 not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

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

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

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

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

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

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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