Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

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

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, 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's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

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 was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.