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

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.