🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

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

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

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

That comment 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 coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.