🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played 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.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball 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 regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."

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

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

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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