🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.

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

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

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

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings 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 challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

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

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

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin 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 well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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