🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match 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 strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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