🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

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