🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI 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.

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

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.