Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

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

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries 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 said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. 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 raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction 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 failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

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

That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth 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 missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

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