🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries 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 "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, 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 been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.