🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for 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 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated 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 declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

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

What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.