🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized 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 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

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.

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

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock 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 practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

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

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

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.