🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's 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 achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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 guaranteed her country would not fail again.

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

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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