🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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

That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.