The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

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