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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous 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 conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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 an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.