🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 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 newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

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

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun 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 attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.