🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until 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 women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

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

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 championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display 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 is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

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

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

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