🔗 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 squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow 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 setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

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

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

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

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.