🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

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

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals 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 left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.