Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

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

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.