🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

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

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

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