🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."

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

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

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

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