The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove 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 named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

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

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

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

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.