🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• 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 achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond 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 considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

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

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.