🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature 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 emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.