Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

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

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament 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 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.