The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "pushed 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 championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.