🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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

That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

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

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. 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 considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks 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 lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from 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 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

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 was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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